The National Planning Inspectorate has accepted EDF Renewables UK’s application for a development consent (DCO) for an 800 MW solar power plant.
The proposed Springwell Solar Farm, which will also have battery storage, would be located on land between Lincoln and Sleaford and cover 1,972 hectares across three different areas.
Due to its size, with a solar power generation capacity of 800 MW and a grid connection allowing the export and import of up to 800 MW to the grid, the development is classified as a Nationally Important Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
EDF Renewables has updated the plans after a second phase of public consultation took place last year. Changes to the plans include increased distance from nearby homes and updated plans for new planting and footpaths.
The DCO application ensures a 27% reduction in the area that will be covered by solar panels. It is now in the pre-exam stage, meaning anyone can register to sit the exam by submitting a written summary of their views between January 15 and February 17 this year.
According to EDF Renewables UK’s director of storage, solar and private wire Matthew Boulton: “Community input has been vital in helping us refine our plans for Springwell Solar Farm.”
The submission of the application comes after two rounds of consultation which showed residents were in favor of solar power stations such as Springwell. EDF found that 77% of people responding to a Survation survey conducted on behalf of EDF Renewables see climate change impacting their communities and 82% of people also said they support the development of solar farms.
Given the typical timeline for a DCO application, now that the preliminary investigation (which typically lasts about three months) has begun, the project will likely enter the investigation phase in late April. If everything goes as quickly as possible, a decision could be made by the end of this year.
Lincolnshire is linked to several major solar projects, including the 350MW Mallard Pass Solar Farm which was granted a DCO last summer.
Fosse Green Energy Limited, a partnership between North East England-based developer Windel Energy and Canadian Solar subsidiary Recurrent Energy, launched the second public consultation for a solar and storage development to be located 9km south-west of Lincoln ; the scope of the project is yet to be confirmed, but the developers have announced they will apply for a DCO. The application is expected to be submitted in September 2025.
