The UK government has approved plans for the Springwell Solar Farm, clearing the way for construction of the record 800 MW solar plant being developed by Luminous Energy and EDF Power Solutions. With this decision, the 800 MW solar plant is set to become the largest solar installation in the UK to date, with grid connection targeted for 2029. The project represents a significant addition to the country’s renewable energy pipeline and reinforces the scale of utility-scale solar energy expansion currently underway.
Located near Navenby in England, the Springwell development will feature an 800 MW photovoltaic (PV) plant integrated with battery storage. The 800 MW solar plant will be built on land in the region, where utility-scale capacity is expected to increase substantially in the coming years. The project is planned to be connected to a new 400 kV Navenby substation, which is being developed by National Grid Energy Transmission. This infrastructure will support the delivery of electricity generated by the 800 MW solar plant into the national grid, ensuring efficient power transmission as capacity grows.
The approval was granted through the UK government’s centralized planning framework for large-scale infrastructure, meaning the final decision rested with the Energy Secretary rather than local authorities. In England, electricity generation projects exceeding 100 MW must undergo the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project assessment process, overseen by the UK Planning Inspectorate. This process involves a detailed examination, after which the body submits its recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security, who ultimately determines the outcome. The Springwell proposal was submitted for a development consent order (DCO) in November 2024, and following consultation and review, the Planning Inspectorate issued a positive recommendation on Jan. 8, 2026. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband formally granted the DCO on 8th April 2026, despite opposition from some local councils.
In parallel developments, Statkraft has launched a public consultation for the proposed Mylen Leah Solar Farm in East Yorkshire. The 500 MW project would be located on land surrounding a former airfield at Melbourne and would connect to the Thornton substation through an underground cable. The statutory consultation for Mylen Solar Farm is scheduled to run from April 16 to May 2026, with Statkraft aiming to submit its DCO application to the Planning Inspectorate before the end of 2026.
