The government, today, approves a major new solar power project – One Earth Solar Farm, set to be the second largest solar farm in the UK – according to the developer it could power over 200,000 homes a year, the equivalent of half the homes in Lincolnshire.
The decision comes a week after approving Peartree Hill solar farm and Dean Moor solar farms, and it marks the 30th nationally significant clean energy project approved by the government since July 2024 – enough clean energy to power the equivalent of more than 19 million homes.
Global instability – from Ukraine to the war in Iran – has exposed the cost of relying on fossil fuel markets Britain does not control. Solar is one of the cheapest forms of power available for the country, and central to the government’s clean power mission to bring stability and lower bills, in an uncertain world.
Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary said, “The only way to have energy security is if we take a pro-growth approach to building more clean energy in Britain. For two years that is exactly what this Government has done.”
This comes as the government confirmed new planning reforms last week to scrap mandatory pre-application consultation requirements for major infrastructure projects, which will cut up to 12 months from the planning process and potentially save industry £1 billion this Parliament. Delivered through the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Act these changes will come into effect later this month.
It also comes as government data published last month shows that 2025 was the strongest year on record for solar deployment, with 269,000 installations completed across the UK.
