Renewable energy developer Statkraft has announced that it has submitted a scoping report for an upcoming national solar energy infrastructure project (NSIP).
The Mylen Leah solar project is a proposed 500 MW solar PV power plant to be located in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Plans for the development were unveiled in September 2024 and Stakraft expects the final application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in late 2025, with final planning approval or refusal expected sometime in 2027.
Although no possible start date for construction has been announced (if the development is approved), Statkraft has suggested that the construction process could take around two years, suggesting the earliest possible commissioning date is 2029. The developer expects the lifespan of the development to be a maximum of 60 years from the date of occupancy.
The proposed development is located near two other major Statkraft developments; the Greener Grid Park near Thornton, which is currently under construction, and the Soay Solar Farm, which will start construction this year.
Initial plans for the site suggest that solar panels will be spread over approximately 1,200 hectares of existing agricultural land, although a significant portion of the site will be devoted to increasing biodiversity, such as planting trees and hedges.
Matt Simpson, senior solar project manager at Statkraft, said: “We are pleased to have submitted the scoping report for Mylen Leah Solar Farm to the Planning Inspectorate, the first major milestone in the project timeline, which sets out the parameters for the environmental projects are outlined. studies that we will carry out as part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. If approved, Mylen Leah will make a significant contribution to providing homegrown green electricity and reducing CO2 emissions for us all. We look forward to continuing our involvement with the local community as we progress the project.”
Several NSIPs in development
A recent one Solar energy portal blog highlighted some of the key NSIP developments expected this year, across all stages of development.
DCO applications are expected in the first quarter of this year for Brockwell Solar and Storage’s 400MW solar and 100MW battery energy storage system (BESS) project, the East Park development, as well as Low Carbon’s 400MW solar and 600MW BESS Beacon Fen Energy Park.
Boom Power’s 400MW East Yorkshire Solar Farm is expected to receive a decision in May this year, and Ecotricity’s delayed decision on the 500MW Heckington Fen solar plant is also due in 2025.
