Island Green Power's West Burton Solar Project has received the green light from Secretary of State Ed Miliband, marking a significant step forward for renewable energy in the UK.

The decision follows planning, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and environmental expertise provided by Lanpro.

The project will span several land parcels in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, situated approximately 7.4 km south and up to 14.6 km southeast of Gainsborough, within the West Lindsey District Council area. Recognised as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), it includes three electricity-generating stations, each with a capacity exceeding 50 MW. The development will feature ground-mounted solar arrays, energy storage systems, and grid connection infrastructure to support construction, operation, and maintenance.

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When completed, the West Burton Solar Project is expected to:

• Generate up to 480 MW of clean electricity—enough to power approximately 144,000 homes annually. This output is equivalent to replacing 24% of the coal-fired capacity of the nearby West Burton Power Station.

• Support the UK's net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050 by providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

• Improve energy resilience by diversifying energy production and incorporating energy storage to balance supply and demand.

• Improve local biodiversity and ecology through strategic environmental enhancements.

• Deliver cost-effective energy as solar-generated electricity is cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives, with no reliance on taxpayer subsidies.

Tara Chopra, Technical Director (EIA and Major Infrastructure) at Lanpro commented: "We are delighted with the outcome of the Secretary of State's announcement for West Burton, which marks the successful conclusion of three years of dedicated work by Lanpro for Island Green Power.

"This decision enables the project to deliver affordable, clean energy to hundreds of thousands of households across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. It plays a vital role in advancing the nation’s Net Zero goals. Again, this is a strong reflection of the current government’s commitment to renewable energy, and we are optimistic that it will lead to more favourable outcomes for our clients in the renewable sector."