Largest solar farm in UK could be built in Norfolk

Energy firms, RPC and Elmya, have not yet revealed where the solar panels will be

A solar farm believed to be the largest in the United Kingdom could be built in South Norfolk.

The new scheme, which is proposed to be built between Long Stratton and Diss in Norfolk, could produce about 900 megawatts of power - enough to power more than 400,000 homes.

Energy firms RPC and Elmya have sought permission to connect the facility to the National Grid near the village of Gissing but have not yet revealed where the solar panels would be.

A spokeswoman for the companies said: "RPC and Elmya Energy are exploring sites in the area, but not in Gissing, and no planning application has been submitted."

Until now, the biggest planned solar farm in Norfolk could be at High Grove near Dereham, which is expected to be 4,000 acres (1,618 hectares) and could produce about 720 megawatts.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said in recent weeks plans for several solar farms in Norfolk have emerged as the government tries to hit net zero targets.

Knowing the High Grove proposal could produce 720 megawatts of power and be about 4,000 acres, the LDRS speculate the new farm could be about 5,000 acres.

These include proposals for East Pye near Long Stratton with a 2,700-acre site around several villages, High Grove with a 4,000-acre site, and the Droves, which would span 2,800 acres on an adjoining site.

The current largest solar farm in the UK is Shotwick Solar Park in Flintshire, Wales, which can produce 72.2 megawatts of power and is 250 acres.

'Under attack'

The decision over the future of the proposals will lie with Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero, who has already declared his intention to push forward with onshore windfarms and solar farms across the country.

Previously, people have raised concerns about solar farms in the region, which include the loss of farmland, implications for food security, worries over the cost and efficiency of the schemes, and the impact on rural landscapes.

Kay Mason Billig, Conservative leader of Norfolk County Council, said the government was "riding roughshod" over local opinions and claimed the county was "under attack" from the solar industry.

The proposed project near Gissing came to light after the energy companies sought permission for a new connection into the national grid, which appeared on the Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC) register.

A spokeswoman for the companies said: "We'll be in touch with local communities to conduct consultation should exploration result in a planning application."