EDF Renewables, Luminous Energy to Build 800 MW Solar Project in UK

EDF Renewables and Luminous Energy have announced their plans for the development of a solar power farm coupled with battery based energy storage infrastructure in the east Midlands region of the United Kingdom. The two companies will also undertake a public consultation process before the execution.

EDF Renewables is a wholly-owned subsidiary of French utility EDF Group that focusses on renewable energy production. Luminous Energy is a UK-based solar developer.

The plan of EDF Renewables and Luminous Energy is to develop a solar power project called Springwell Solar Farm having a potential output of up to 800 MW. The solar project will be between Lincoln and Sleaford that is expected to supply green energy and satisfy the power needs to about half of all the households of Lincolnshire.

The solar farm will be 11 times greater than the current largest operational solar facility in the UK and the area that it will have for construction is 1,400 hectares. It will be completed by 2030 and immediately put to operations, as per EDF Renewables and Lincoln Energy.

EDF Renewables UK’s Head of Solar, Ben Fawcett, said, “At EDF Renewables UK, we’re passionate about creating a future where clean energy powers our lives. Springwell Solar Farm would produce much needed low-carbon electricity here in the UK, helping to power thousands of homes and businesses every year.”

Fawcett also said, “We are currently at a very early stage on Springwell, with local views vital to helping us develop our plans. We encourage everyone to get involved in the upcoming consultation to find out more about Springwell and let us know their thoughts.”

Jolyon Orchard, CEO of Luminous Energy, mentioned, “We are looking forward to working with EDF Renewables UK and the local community to create a scheme that delivers affordable, clean energy.”

EDF Renewables said that the consultation with the general public for Springwell Solar Farm will run for six weeks and it will start from 24 January, 2023. The local communities’ feedback will help in formulating the solar development plan to maximise the benefits for the local area. EDF Renewables also mentioned that members of the civil society are also invited to a series of public exhibitions where they could speak directly to the team behind Springwell.

At present, UK has a solar power capacity of about 14 GW and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) wants to take it to 50 GW by 2030.