High Grove solar farm project in Norfolk to be UK's largest

Energy company RWE has proposed plans to install panels across 4,000 acres of land on five sites close to Dereham and Swaffham.

Known collectively as High Grove solar farm, the sites are expected to produce enough energy to power 363,000 homes. 

It would be the most ambitious infrastructure project of its kind and fifteen times larger than Llanwern solar park in Wales, currently the UK's largest at around 260 acres. 

The park would be dotted across farmland surrounding Swaffham, Necton, Ashill and Bradenham. Spanning an area roughly equivalent to 2,667 football pitches, it would be bigger than any single solar development currently in the pipeline.

Labour made its commitment to green energy a key part of its election campaign, part of its hugely ambitious pledge to cut emissions from electricity generation to net zero by 2030 

Some infrastructure projects have been given an easier ride through the planning system in recent weeks, as part of reforms intended to boost economic growth.

RWE's initial proposals for the High Grove project (Image: RWE)

WHAT IS HIGH GROVE?

The RWE project would be built across 4,000 acres of land close to the A47, near Swaffham and Necton. 

The five sites will host thousands of solar panels as well as battery storage systems and substations, and will be connected via an underground cable route. 

The farm could produce 720MW of energy, enough to power roughly 80pc of homes in Norfolk. 

The High Grove project will also require a large new National Grid substation to be built in the region, but the location of this is yet to be confirmed. 

RWE's planned underground cable route (Image: RWE)

The German company behind the project, RWE, has also led the development of Norfolk Boreas, Norfolk Vanguard West and Norfolk Vanguard East, collectively known as the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone.

These will be three of the biggest wind farms in Britain and were purchased from Swedish rival Vattenfall for £963m in March.

Like the wind farms, High Grove solar is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, meaning it will need to go through an extensive planning process before any work begins. 

READ MORE: World's largest offshore wind farm gets government backing

RWE is the new owner of one of the world's largest offshore wind projects, the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone (Image: Vattenfall)

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? 

RWE has launched its initial consultation into the scheme this week and does not expect construction to get under way until 2028. 

Mike Greslow, project manager for High Grove, said: "We understand the importance of community consultation, as only by working with local people can we ensure the best possible scheme is delivered.

"RWE hope local people will take the opportunity to find out more about the plans by visiting the website and attending one of the drop-in events or webinars."

There will be in-person consultation events throughout September and October in Swaffham, Scarning, Shipdham, Ashill, Necton and Sporle. 

The feedback from these events will be used to refine the current design of the farm. There will be another consultation next year before a decision by the Secretary of State.

Energy Secretary Ed Milliband (Image: Lucy North)

Earlier this month, energy secretary Ed Miliband said solar power is "crucial" to delivering on the government's broader ambitions to hit net zero by 2050. 

He has also declared his intention to push onshore wind and solar farms ahead where the case for them is merited.

The 600MW Cottam solar project in Lincolnshire is one of the latest to be given the green light by Mr Milliband, despite strong local objections to the plan.