UK government approves nearly 1 GW of solar across two projects
West Burton and Heckington Fen solar projects approved, adding to major developments since Labour's July 2024 government.
Two major solar projects in England, totaling nearly 1 GW of capacity and including co-located storage, have received approval from the UK government. The 480 MW West Burton Solar Farm and the Heckington Fen Solar Farm, with a reported capacity of around 500 MW, have been granted development consent orders, allowing construction to proceed.
West Burton Solar Farm, located near a former coal-fired power station, will feature a 480 MW solar plant and a co-located battery energy storage system (BESS). Developed by Island Green Power, the project follows the company’s 600 MW Cottam Solar Project, which gained consent in September 2024.
Heckington Fen Solar Farm, developed by Ecotricity, is also a solar-plus-storage project. Approval was delayed due to disputes over the cable route to the nearby Bicker Fen substation. In August 2024, Ecotricity requested an extension from Secretary of State for Energy Ed Miliband to negotiate further with local landowners.
The West Burton Solar Farm faced its own delays, with a decision initially expected in November 2024. In May 2024, the Planning Inspectorate recommended withholding consent unless Island Green Power amended the project to reduce its impact on a nearby national heritage site.
These approvals continue a recent trend of large-scale solar developments securing consent. Since July 2024, the UK government has approved several projects, adding over 1.3 GW of new capacity within weeks of taking office.
