UK's largest solar project receives government approval

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has granted development consent to Island Green Power's 600-MW Cottam Solar Project, the UK’s largest to date, the ministry said Sept. 5.

The approval follows planning consent in July for three other major new solar farms totaling 1.35 GW by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, in a move welcomed by the industry as a signal of the new government's intent to accelerate development.

The Cottam project has four sites for a total 1,150 hectares straddling the border between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. It employs the grid connection formerly used by the now demolished Cottam coal-fired power plant.

Island Green Power also confirmed it plans a 600-MW co-located battery storage system at Cottam.

“The project will play a vital role in supporting the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy,” said Bob Psaradellis, CEO of Island Green Power.

Stephen Wilding, director of business development at trade association Solar Energy UK, called the announcement “another step in the right direction towards a sustainably powered solar nation.”

The news comes two days after the UK government announced the award of a record 3.3 GW of solar PV in the sixth Contracts for Difference auction round. The largest solar farm to win a CFD was the 500-MW Longfield project, developed by EDF Renewables, which won a tender for 299 MW at GBP50.07/MWh (2012 price).

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed Sept. 5 solar modules delivered into Europe at 12 cents/W for volumes between 5 MW and 50 MW, Sept. 5, down more than a tenth since the start of July with freight costs continuing to fall in September.