The energy secretary has granted planning permission to a 500MW solar and battery storage project in Essex.
The Longfield solar farm is being developed by EDF Renewables which has secured a grid connection agreement for 500MW of import/export capacity.
When the project was first announced in 2020 as a joint development by EDF Renewables and Padero Solar, the partners said they expected the project to include 350MW of solar generation.
Consultation materials on the project website state that this is the maximum amount that could be hosted by the site using current technologies. However, they also suggest the actual solar capacity will be slightly lower as not all of the land will be used for solar panels.
In terms of size, this would put it just behind the Cleve Hill solar park near Faversham in Kent, which is set to become the UK’s largest solar farm when it is completed by the end of 2024. The Cleve Hill project, comprising 373MW of solar generation and more than 150MW battery storage, secured a development consent order in May 2020 and began construction in April this year.
EDF Renewables, which is now the sole owner of the Longfield project, submitted an application for a development consent order in February 2022 following 18 months of engagement and consultation with the local community.
Ben Fawcett, head of solar at EDF Renewables UK, said: “I am delighted that, after months of careful consideration, the government has given planning consent for Longfield Solar Farm. It is a significant endorsement of our proposals.
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our consultation and the public examination. The feedback we received from residents, local authorities, environmental groups and many others has helped shape our plans. We will continue to work closely with them to make sure we minimise the impact of construction and maximise the huge opportunities for the area.”
The secretary of state’s decision aligns with the recommendation of the examining authority appointed by the Planning Inspectorate.
EDF said it is aiming to begin exporting power to the grid from the Longfield solar farm at the beginning of 2028 following two years of construction.