EDF Renewables’ and Padero Solar’s up to 500MW Longfield Solar Farm application has been granted development consent by the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The application involves a new solar photovoltaic array generating station, co-located with battery storage, together with grid connection infrastructure at the site near Chelmsford, Essex.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Longfield Solar Energy Farm Limited on 28 February 2022 and accepted for examination on 28 March 2022.
Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the examining authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 18 April 2023.
Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK already has enough solar power installed to power four million homes, and this new development of Longfield, the UK’s largest capacity consented solar farm, will help ensure we fully harness the power of the sun and boost our energy security.
“With a capacity to power tens of thousands of homes, Longfield will help deliver cheaper energy for consumers and businesses and create long-term, high-quality jobs of the future.”