Fosse Green Energy Limited is holding statutory consultation for a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) generating station with battery storage that will generate and export/import electricity in excess of 50MW.
A partnership between Northeast England-headquartered developer Windel Energy and Canadian Solar subsidiary Recurrent Energy, Fosse Green Energy plans to locate the project 9km south west of Lincoln.
Due to its generation capacity, the solar development is classed as a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP). As such, the developers have given notice that they will make an application to the secretary of state for energy security and net zero for a development consent order (DCO).
A battery energy storage system (BESS) will be co-located with ground mounted solar PV panels, storing excess generation to discharge onto the grid when needed. Under Section 47 of the Planning Act 2008, community consultation is required before a DCO application can be made.
It follows an initial non-statutory consultation held in Autumn 2023 where Fosse Green Energy Limited presented a preliminary study area and two grid connection corridor options. Fosse Green Energy says it has “carefully listened” to feedback and this consultation features accordingly updated plans.
The project includes an underground cable connection to the proposed new National Grid Substation near Navenby, for which National Grid will put forward a separate planning application.
According to Lloyd Sandles, projects director at Windel Energy, the feedback from the first consultation was “invaluable” in shaping the developers’ plans.
Sandles explained: “We have selected and refined a preferred grid connection corridor to the proposed Navenby Substation, to minimise social and environmental impact. We are also presenting our plans for landscaping and for the construction work we would need to carry out.”
James Whitney, business development manager at Recurrent Energy added: “The solar panels and other associated infrastructure would take up a small percentage of the land inside our red line boundary, creating opportunities planting and screening within the site.
“We are also looking at how we can benefit the local community in ways which work best for them and would like to know people’s thoughts on any community schemes or projects that we can engage with.”
Recurrent and Windel work together
The Fosse Green Energy project is one of many that Recurrent and Windel have partnered on.
In July, the pair received permission for a 200MW/400MWh, 2-hour duration BESS in Carlisle, shortly after their 9.9MW Welsh solar development was approved. Most notably, the Mallard Pass solar farm was among three NSIPs to be granted a DCO by secretary of state Ed Miliband shortly after the Labour government came to power.
The development had been awaiting former secretary Claire Coutinho’s consent, which was delayed first by the former secretary of state before the general election pushed a decision back further.
Ed Miliband has been vocal in his support for large scale solar development in the UK, marking a positive change for the industry.
