International renewable energy developer Ørsted has announced proposals for a 320MW solar PV power plant in East Yorkshire.
The Kingfisher Solar Farm is proposed to be located five miles north of the town of Beverly. The project’s approximately 320MW capacity classifies the development as a Nationally Important Infrastructure Project (NSIP), meaning project developer Ørsted must obtain a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
If the plans are approved, the project is expected to be operational by the end of 2030 and have a duration of no less than 60 years. Ørsted has not yet indicated when an application for a DCO will be submitted.
The project proposals suggest that the solar PV power plant could use the same cable route as the already approved Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm, which is also being developed by Ørsted. This cable route would connect the Kingfisher project to the nearby Creyke Beck substation via an underground cable.
Public consultations will soon open for the proposed development, with local residents and businesses invited to share feedback online or in person between February 3 and March 9. Public presentations and events will also be held in local towns and villages during the consultation period.
Randall Linfoot, Ørsted Program Manager for Kingfisher, said: “Kingfisher Solar Farm will make a significant contribution to achieving the country’s ambitious plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“If the project is approved, we will also deliver real benefits to the communities we work in, including increasing nature reserves and habitats around our solar array, and having a community fund that will deliver lasting, tangible benefits for local people. We will invest in local initiatives and engage small and medium businesses in the area to see how they can secure work through our supply chain.
“We look forward to sharing more details about our proposals with local residents and businesses through this consultation.”
This is not the only thing NSIP Ørsted is currently involved in. PS Renewables and Ørsted have formed a partnership to develop the proposed One Earth solar power plant in Nottinghamshire. The development will include a co-located battery energy storage system (BESS) and has already been approved for a 740MW export/import connection by National Grid. Public consultation for the project closed in July and a DCO application is expected to be submitted between January and March 2025.
