White Elm Solar Farm would comprise the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of a grid connected Solar PV generating station together with battery energy storage system (BESS), access, landscaping and other associated development. The solar farm would have a design capacity of over 50 MW.
Our Proposals
Battery Storage
The BESS will have a dual function in being able to absorb energy from both the proposed solar farm and directly from the transmission grid. This will allow the BESS to provide frequent balancing services directly to the National Grid.
BESS represent a key turning point in the transition towards clean and sustainable energy. The benefits they offer include:
Energy management flexibility - by storing excess electricity during low-demand periods and discharging it during high-demand periods, BESS helps with grid stability and helps integrate intermittent renewable energy sources seamlessly.
Grid stabilisation and efficiency - the instantaneous power injection of batteries helps maintain grid stability and improve overall reliability.
Emission reduction – by facilitating the storage of renewable energy, our reliance on fossil fuel based backup power sources is reduced.
We expect White Elm Solar Farm would have a temporary 40-year operational lifespan, after which the development will be decommissioned and land restored.
The solar farm will have a design capacity of over 50 MW, as such it qualifies as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, like White Elm Solar Farm, obtain planning permission via a ‘Development Consent Order’ (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008.
Additional information about the proposals and the consultation process can be found on the Government’s National Infrastructure Planning Website.
The Planning Process
Under the Planning Act 2008, a Development Consent Order (DCO) is the means of obtaining permission to construct and maintain developments categorised as NSIPs. DCOs differ from typical planning permissions granted under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as the outcome of the application is ultimately determined by the Secretary of State rather than local planning authorities.
Anyone intending to construct a NSIP must first apply to the Planning Inspectorate for a DCO. The Planning Inspectorate reviews the application and provides a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, who ultimately makes the decision.
For more detailed information on the process, please refer to this link.