A leading solar and battery energy storage developer has shared plans to construct a solar farm with energy storage between Little Clifton and Branthwaite.
The project, planned by RWE and named Lostrigg Solar, is designed to generate approximately 100 megawatts of electricity, sufficient to power 45,000 homes.
Lostrigg Solar is intended to align with national and regional goals to decarbonise electricity and boost energy security, as reflected in the recently elected Labour government's manifesto mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.
Michael Baker, development consent order project manager for Lostrigg Solar, said: "The UK has set an ambitious and legally binding commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
"Solar farms are widely recognised as having an important role to play in helping achieve this target.
"Lostrigg Solar would generate sustainable, affordable electricity that would annually avoid over three million tonnes of carbon emissions from entering our atmosphere.
"We believe that local authorities, communities and businesses have an important role to play in helping inform and influence how our proposals for Lostrigg Solar evolve.
"We are committed to working collaboratively with local communities to ensure their voices are heard.
"Our passion lies in creating sustainable energy solutions that respond to their surroundings through considering the local environment and feedback from local communities.
"We will work alongside the local community to understand how we can support further community benefits as part of our proposals for Lostrigg Solar."
Environmental surveys are being conducted to determine the most suitable areas for development across the land available, with RWE intending to share the results of these surveys in a first phase of community consultation, anticipated to take place in autumn.
The project would involve the installation of solar photovoltaic panels, a co-located battery energy storage system, and infrastructure to connect to the existing Electricity North West network.
Other features include environmental mitigation and enhancement measures like biodiversity net gain, public rights of way, and additional planting.
The project will have an operational period of 40 years, after which the panels and infrastructure would be dismantled and the land reinstated.
Because it is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), as determined by its ability to produce over 50 megawatts, RWE must apply to the Planning Inspectorate for a development and consent order for Lostrigg Solar.
Once the Planning Inspectorate has conducted an examination of the proposals and made a recommendation to the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, the final decision to grant development consent will rest with the Secretary of State.
RWE anticipates that the pre-application process, through to development and consent order submission and examination, will take between two to three years, with an intended development and consent order application in autumn 2025.
Subject to consent, construction would commence no earlier than spring 2027.
More information can be found on the project's website at www.lostriggsolar.com or via email at consultation@lostriggsolar.com, as well as via the freephone information line on 0808 164 0799 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) and via freepost at FREEPOST LOSTRIGG SOLAR.
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