Low Carbon confirms plans to develop a new solar energy park in Lincolnshire

Tue Oct 12 2021

Proposed new solar and energy park will provide enough clean energy to power over 160,000 homes and avoid more than 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emission every year.

• Proposed new solar and energy park will provide enough clean energy to:
• power over 160,000 homes: and,
• avoid more than 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emission every year.
• The scheme would connect into the national grid at the existing substation at Cottam Power Station in Nottingham.
• Initial consultation on proposals anticipated early 2022.

12 October 2021: Low Carbon Limited has today confirmed that it is at an early stage in developing proposals for a new solar and energy storage park at a site near Gate Burton in Lincolnshire. With an anticipated generation capacity of 500 megawatts (MW), the scheme could provide enough clean energy to power over 160,000 homes and avoid more than 100,000 of CO2 emissions every year.

The extent of the land available to deliver the project is wholly contained within one site, located in the West Lindsay District near Gate Burton, Knaith Park and Willingham-by-Stow.

Mike Rutgers, Development Director at Low Carbon said: “The Government has set ambitious climate and energy targets to reach net zero by 2050. However, focus in recent weeks on energy price volatility and security of supply have highlighted just how critical it is for the UK to deliver on the transition to home grown renewable energy sources without delay.

“Low Carbon is therefore pleased to be bringing forward proposals for Gate Burton Energy Park which will deliver significant levels of renewable energy generation and contribute to securing the energy needs of Great Britain.”

Preliminary work is currently being undertaken to identify the most appropriate areas of the site for development. It is also determining potential routes for the electrical connection from the energy park into the national grid at the existing substation at Cottam Power Station in Nottinghamshire.

The findings from this work will be shared through an initial public consultation, which it is anticipated will take place in early 2022, with further consultation then taking place at key stages in the ongoing project development process.

“We are at an early stage in the development process for this scheme,” explains Rutgers. “As our proposals evolve, we are committed to consulting widely and effectively to ensure we strike the right balance of social, economic and environmental benefit.

“We want to deliver this project responsibly and engagement with the local community forms a critical element in ensuring we achieve this. We welcome the opportunity to meet with residents, business owners and other key stakeholders as the project progresses.”

The amount of electricity Gate Burton Energy Park could generate means that it is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). It will require a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. Effective consultation and engagement with all interested parties including local communities, authorities and interested organisations is central to the planning process for NSIPs.

Ultimately, consent will be determined by the Secretary of State at the department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

It is anticipated that the development process - through to DCO submission and then examination for Gate Burton Energy Park - will take between two and three years. Subject to achieving consent, construction would start no earlier than 2024.

A project website has been set up: www.gateburtonenergypark.co.uk. This will be updated as more information about the project becomes available. It will also include details of forthcoming engagement and consultations. People can register their details on the website to ensure they are updated at key project milestones.

The project community relations team can also be contacted directly by Freephone 0800 860 6259 or email info@gateburtonenergypark.co.uk.

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