What’s happened?
Springwell Solar Farm was approved by the UK government on 8th April. Springwell includes an 800MW solar and battery project in North Kesteven, Lincolnshire, between Lincoln and Sleaford. Once built, it is expected to be the UK’s largest power‑producing solar farm, with the developer estimating output equivalent to powering more than 180,000 homes a year, roughly half the households in Lincolnshire.
The approval makes Springwell the 25th nationally significant clean energy project consented since mid‑2024, adding to a growing fleet of large‑scale renewables on the path to a cleaner power system as the government continues to support clean, domestic power to protect people against volatile prices.
What does this mean?
Government support for solar is on the rise
Springwell’s approval signals that government is prepared to back very large solar farms even where there is local opposition. It reinforces solar’s role in the UK’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which aims to build a clean power system by the end of the decade that relies on rapid deployment of renewables, alongside grid upgrades and storage.
Solar is the leading technology being accelerated through the system via NSIP reform. The government plans to make 150 decisions on major infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament in 2029. Of the 29 projects that have had their Development Consent Order accepted by the Planning Inspectorate (these projects still need to pass through the Examining Authority and the Secretary of State), 17 are solar projects and (12 of those are co‑located with storage).
Looking forward
The approval of Springwell Solar Farm indicates that the UK government is seeing the benefit of utility‑scale solar to reduce growing energy security risks and the impacts of the energy crisis unfolding following the conflict in the Middle East. It also underlines the commitment from government to push forward other major energy infrastructure projects in the UK.
In the near term, there are eight projects that have reached decision stage (awaiting final approval from the Secretary of State). These include other solar farms such as Botley West Solar Farm (840MW), Dean Moor Solar Farm, Peatree Hill Solar Farm and One Earth Solar Farm. We expect the growing energy crisis risks will see these, along with other renewable projects, being approved.
We support developers through talent by helping them secure the specialist expertise needed to move projects from consent to delivery. As pipelines scale and timelines tighten, access to the right people across development, delivery and asset management becomes critical. Our work sits at the centre of that challenge, connecting leading renewable energy developers with the individuals who can unlock progress, reduce delivery risk and support long term asset performance across the energy transition. You can contact us hello@mintselection.com