Is the Tightening of Grid Supply Driving Larger Solar Developments?
The government’s withdrawal of subsidy payments for new solar farms in April 2019 led to a period of market adjustment resulting in what is now termed large-scale subsidy-free solar; developers seeking schemes covering 100+ acres have become the norm, with the associated economies of scale required to make development financially viable.
Despite a Government Strategy that clearly supports the delivery of projects that enable a cleaner, more affordable, and secure energy system. Large-scale subsidy-free solar farm development does not come without its challenges, and the impact of planning constraints can be amplified by the scale of development. The National Planning Policy Framework sets the parameters for development, but whilst in some areas policy is clear cut, in others it is open to interpretation and local opposition, increasing risk to developers of what may gain consent.
As it stands, projects over 50MW in England (350MW in Wales) require approval as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), a process administered by the Planning Inspectorate instead of the Local Planning Authorities (LPAs). The process can be drawn out and unwieldy for the uninitiated but provides competitive advantage to those with the appetite. Single large-scale solar schemes benefit from lower unit costs than multiple independent schemes. For smaller NSIP projects, it will be important to ensure projects are delivered through the system in a proportionate way, to minimise time and costs.
This has undoubtedly contributed to increased demand for sub-50MW grid connections over the course of the last three years and competition for sites and grid capacity, and developer appetite to increase the size of their development pipeline only ever seems to grow. However, existing distribution network grid infrastructure in the UK can only accommodate so many of these sub-50MW grid connections because it is a finite resource, so is the tightening of grid supply driving larger solar connections?
Plans for the largest NSIP solar farm in the UK, a 350MW development called Cleve Hill Solar Park in Kent were granted a Development Consent Order (DCO) by the Energy Secretary in May 2020, and more recently a 150MW development called Little Crow Solar Park near Scunthorpe was granted a DCO in April 2022.
There are currently two other utility scale solar farm proposals that have been submitted to National Infrastructure Planning (and a number at Pre-application stage), these are:
- Longfield Solar Farm - a 500MW scheme in Chelmsford that is currently being examined by the Planning Inspectorate; and
- Sunnica Energy Farm – another 500MW scheme between East Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk.
The start of the examination of the Sunnica Energy Farm has been delayed until September, due to changes in the way the developer proposes to connect to the National Grid substation at Burwell. Changes to the cable are also being proposed. An additional consultation on these proposed changes is ongoing and Sunnica will submit their formal request to make changes to the scheme on 30th August 2022.
Most solar farm developments that are currently in the planning system or have recently been determined sit in the 30 – 49.9MW range, most of which will require a viable grid connection. As more of these schemes are consented and connect to the local grid network, the less capacity there will be available with the current infrastructure in place.
As such, we can possibly expect this tightening of grid supply to drive more developments such as Cleve Hill in Kent (350MW), Little Crow Solar Park in Scunthorpe (150MW), Longfield Solar Farm in Chelmsford (500MW) and Sunnica energy Farm between East Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk (500MW).
The Carter Jonas Energy team comprises a multi-disciplinary team of energy specialists, environmental consultants, chartered surveyors and town planners providing independent advice and professional services for energy developments. Our team have undertaken feasibility and planning services for schemes right across the country, including securing planning permission for over 40 wind turbine developments, 15 solar PV developments and 3 battery storage developments ranging from 2MW up to 49.5MW. We have the expertise and knowledge to provide a clear strategy that takes your project from inception through to delivery, navigating the intricacies of the planning system.
Obtaining planning permission can be quite complex as each project is different, often requiring varying amounts of assessment work to help secure consent. The Carter Jonas Energy team prides itself on working with LPAs on behalf of Developers and Landowners who are looking to develop renewable energy technologies to understand each site’s planning challenges and constraints. We navigate the planning system on behalf of our clients by submitting pre-application enquiries to ensure early engagement and a dialogue with LPAs, to then preparing and submitting EIA Screening Requests if required, through to preparing and submitting the planning application. We identify solutions and suitable mitigation measures to ensure each planning application is robust and has the best chance of achieving planning consent for a commercially viable and deliverable scheme, leaving our clients fully satisfied with the service provided.
If you are a developer or a landowner and you require planning guidance, or perhaps want to seek further information, updates or advice regarding development planning for solar then find out more by contacting George Oldroyd on 07765 745103 or george.oldroyd@carterjonas.co.uk.
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