Today, leading renewables developer Elements Green has initiated the first phase of community consultation for the Great North Road Solar Park, an innovative solar and energy storage project situated northwest of Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire. With an impressive potential generation capacity of approximately 800 megawatts (MW) AC of solar energy, this venture could power around 400,000 homes, meeting 100% of Nottinghamshire’s residential power needs.
The proposed GNR Solar Park, subject to consent and successful operation, is poised to play a crucial role in the UK’s decarbonization efforts. By annually avoiding 250,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, the project aims to contribute significantly to the country’s environmental goals. In addition, it is anticipated to enhance energy security and alleviate the cost-of-living crisis by reducing household energy bills.
Elements Green has officially launched the first stage of community consultation, inviting feedback from local communities across the proposed site areas. The developer is committed to a transparent and thorough consultation process, engaging with local planning authorities, interest groups, and statutory consultees. This initial consultation phase will remain open until February 27, 2024.
To facilitate community engagement, Elements Green will conduct a series of in-person and online exhibition events. A total of eight events, including six in-person sessions and two online webinars, will take place between January 29 and February 10. These events will provide opportunities for the community and key stakeholders to learn more about the project and offer valuable feedback.
Mark Noone, Project Director for Great North Road Solar Park, highlighted the project’s alignment with the British Energy Security Strategy, aiming to increase the UK’s solar capacity fivefold by 2035. Noone emphasized the importance of community input, stating, “Feedback received during Stage One consultation will help us to develop our proposals more thoroughly, and we want to hear from as many members of the community as possible.”
Due to its significant proposed generation capacity, GNR Solar Park is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). Elements Green plans to submit a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in Spring 2025.
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