PS Renewables and Ørsted, developers of renewable energy projects in the UK, have submitted their application for Development Consent Order (DCO) for One Earth Solar Farm. At the border of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, the project could produce enough energy for more than 200,000 homes a year.
With the Planning Inspectorate having reviewed the application and accepting it for examination, the scheme now moves into the ‘pre-examination stage’ in preparation for upcoming public examinations.
The project comprises the construction of a solar farm and collated battery energy storage system (BESS) and would be located across approximately 1,600 hectares of land, primarily in Nottinghamshire.
The location of the solar farm was chosen based on the availability of a grid connection point at High Marnham. When the old coal-fired power station was decommissioned, it created capacity at this location for new energy projects.
Randall Linfoot, programme manager for Ørsted, said: “We are delighted to have had our DCO application for the One Earth Solar Farm accepted for examination. It is crucial for the UK that large renewables projects such as One Earth can be progressed as quickly as possible whilst also ensuring they are properly scrutinised.
“Projects like this will be key contributors to the UK’s energy security alongside bringing investment, low-cost electricity for consumers and helping meet global climate goals and net-zero targets.”
The proposals for One Earth have changed significantly in response to two periods of consultation over the last two years. The masterplan has been reduced to remove panels near homes and villages that are located close to the project boundary.
