Low Carbon has confirmed that it is at an early stage in developing proposals for a 500MW solar and energy storage park at a site near Gate Burton in Lincolnshire, England.
It is hoped the scheme could provide enough clean energy to power more than 160,000 homes and avoid more than 100,000 of CO2 emissions every year.
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.
Low Carbon development director Mike Rutgers 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.
Rutgers added: “We are at an early stage in the development process for this scheme.
“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