PS Renewables and Ørsted, two developers of renewable energy projects, are bringing forward proposals for One Earth Solar Farm.
What is One Earth Solar Farm?
One Earth is a proposed new solar farm with associated Battery Storage located at the border of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
One Earth is a proposed solar farm with associated battery storage and infrastructure, located primarily in Nottinghamshire, that would connect to the National Grid at High Marnham substation.
The project is still in an early stage of development.
What is the background of the One Earth Solar Farm plans?
In Autumn 2023, the developers behind One Earth hosted a first round of consultation on the early proposals for the project. Feedback from the first consultation, as well as the results of ongoing environmental and technical assessments, have informed the updated proposals, which are now the subject of a second round of ‘statutory’ consultation from 29 May – 9 July 2024.
Where is the proposed location?
Matt Hazell, Co-owner of PS Renewables said: “We are excited to launch the second consultation for One Earth Solar Farm.
“We appreciate everyone who took the time to provide feedback during the first consultation.
“We considered the feedback we received carefully and have made several significant changes to the project, which we will present during this second consultation.
“From 29 May, we will provide a variety of opportunities to learn more about the updated proposals, including in-person events in locations across the local area and online, where individuals can meet our project team, ask questions, and provide their feedback.
“We encourage anyone with an interest in the proposals to meet with us during this statutory consultation and share their views on our updated proposals.”
| Community Events | |
|---|---|
| Date and Time | Location |
| Friday, 7 June 2024 4 – 8 pm | Dunham on Trent Village Hall, Dunham NG22 0FJ |
| Saturday, 8 June 2024 12 – 4 pm | St Peters Church, Newton on Trent, Lincoln LN1 2JS |
| Wednesday, 12 June 2024 2 – 6 pm | South Clifton Coronation Hall, South Clifton, NG23 7AN |
| Thursday, 13 June 2024 12 – 4 pm | Normanton Village Hall, Normanton on Trent |
| Tuesday, 18 June 2024 6 – 7 pm | Webinar – Please visit our website to register: oneearthsolarfarm.co.uk |
| Saturday, 29 June 2024 12 – 4 pm | South Clifton Coronation Hall, South Clifton, NG23 7AN |
| Wednesday, 3 July 2024 6 – 7 pm | Webinar – Please visit our website to register: oneearthsolarfarm.co.uk |
| 29 May – 9 July 2024 Anytime at your leisure | Virtual Exhibition, available at our website: oneearthsolarfarm.co.uk |
Speaking on behalf of Ørsted, Randall Linfoot said:
“This project marks an exciting milestone for Ørsted as we bring our expertise in renewable energy projects to solar energy in the UK.
“In line with our other projects, we want to work with local residents, community groups, and elected officials to ensure that the project is developed in a way that is sensitive to the community and environment and that the benefits of the project are felt in the local area.”
If approved, the project would deliver 740 MW of domestically-produced renewable energy to the National Grid, which is enough to power more than 200,000 homes and make a significant contribution in the fight against climate change and support energy security.
In January 2024, a new National Policy Statement for Energy was adopted, which defines large-scale solar projects like One Earth as ‘critical national priorities’ to support the goal of increasing solar development by five-fold to decarbonise the power sector by 2035.
This is part of the UK’s legally-binding target to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.
Because the project would produce more than 50 MW of energy, it is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means that it will require a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
What’s next for the One Earth Solar Farm plans?
The planning process for NSIPs requires that developers submit an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to build, operate, and eventually decommission One Earth Solar Farm. This application will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), which will examine the proposals on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. PINS will make a recommendation on whether or not to consent the project, and the Secretary of State will make the ultimate decision on whether or not to approve One Earth. You can find out more about the planning process these types of project at this page > National Infrastructure Planning at the Planning Inspectorate
Timeline
Data source: One Earth
Anyone may submit their written feedback through a digital feedback form available at oneearthsolarfarm.co.uk, by emailing info@oneearthsolarfarm.co.uk, or by Freepost: One Earth Solar Farm, Freepost SEC NEWGATE UK LOCAL.
Alternatively, the project team can be contacted by calling freephone 0800 169 6507 or by emailing info@oneearthsolarfarm.co.uk to answer questions.
