Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy have been granted planning approval for the 500MW Tillbridge solar farm in England.
The UK government approved a Development Consent Order application for the ground-mounted scheme in Lincolnshire today (14 October).
The solar array is due to be constructed 5km east of Gainsborough in West Lindsey.
A battery energy storage system is also planned for co-location.
The site is due to connect to the grid at the Cottam substation in Nottinghamshire via underground cables.
The UK Planning Inspectorate accepted Tillbridge’s DCO application for examination in May 2024, and recommended the approval following its review.
Energy department DESNZ stated the DCO award marks the 17th nationally significant clean energy project approved by the government since it came into office last summer.
UK energy minister Michael Shanks said: “Families across Lincolnshire and the rest of the country have seen their energy bills go through the roof as a result of our exposure to volatile gas prices.
“Solar is one of the cheapest and quickest power sources we can build, it is crucial in our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower – giving us energy security, good jobs and growth across the country.”
Trade association Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett added: “We all need cheaper power – and solar farms are the cheapest source of electricity in the UK.
“The larger they are, the more they benefit from economies of scale. Critically, they produce home-grown clean energy, displacing expensive and polluting natural gas from the grid.
“The area needed to deliver the UK’s solar aspirations over the coming years is a tiny fraction of agricultural land that will have no meaningful impact on food production.
“Indeed, solar farms are helping to keep farmers growing food by delivering a stable and reliable income, protected from the vagaries of market conditions and adverse weather.”