The UK Government has approved the Steeple Renewables Project, granting development consent for a scheme that is expected to deliver an estimated USD 296 million of investment in the local economy.

The decision was made by the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero, following a thorough examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

A New Era of Clean Energy in Nottinghamshire

The project, developed by RES, the world's largest independent renewable energy company, has been in development near Sturton-le-Steeple in Nottinghamshire since 2023.

Once operational, it will combine solar generation and battery storage, with a total grid connection capacity of up to 600MW.

A New Chapter for Nottinghamshire's Energy Legacy

Nottinghamshire has long played a role in powering the nation through coal and gas generation at West Burton Power Station. With the granting of development consent, that energy legacy is set to continue through a shift to renewable energy.

The solar element of the project is expected to generate enough clean electricity to meet the needs of approximately 180,000 homes every year, which RES says is roughly half the households in Nottinghamshire.

The battery storage component will add flexibility to the system by storing electricity when supply is plentiful and releasing it when demand rises.

Economic Benefits and Community Package

During construction and operation, the project is expected to deliver the estimated USD 296 million of local investment by supporting approximately 400 jobs, spending with nearby businesses, and business rates throughout its operational life.

Alongside the economic benefits, the consented project will deliver a community benefits package worth approximately USD 17 million over the project's lifetime. This package could include RES' Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS).

The project will also deliver biodiversity net gain measures designed to leave the land richer in nature than it is today.

Developer Response

Karl O'Mullan, Solar Development Director at RES, welcomed the decision, saying, "This area in Nottinghamshire has a proud energy history, and the Steeple Renewables Project will build on that legacy by connecting the new technologies supporting the country's clean energy future. Today's decision puts the county back at the centre of power generation in Britain alongside economic benefits that come with it."

O'Mullan also thanked those who engaged with the project during its development: "We thank everyone who has engaged with us and helped shape the project over the past few years, including local residents, landowners, parish councils, and statutory bodies. We look forward to building the project with the support of local businesses and the supply chain."

A Lengthy Examination Process

The Secretary of State's decision follows a thorough examination by the Planning Inspectorate, during which RES and interested parties submitted nearly 700 documents as part of the Development Consent Order process.

The approval comes after several years of development, environmental assessment, and consultation with statutory consultees, local authorities, and communities.

The Development Consent Order as made, the Examining Authority's Recommendation Report, and the Secretary of State's Decision Letter are available on the Planning Inspectorate's project page, with further project information available at the project's dedicated website.

Next Steps

The next steps for the project include detailed design, discharge of requirements, and preparations for delivery. RES has stated that local communities and stakeholders will be kept updated as the project progresses.

About RES

RES, headquartered in Hertfordshire, works across 24 countries and is active in wind, solar, energy storage, green hydrogen, transmission, and distribution.

An industry innovator for over 40 years, the company has delivered more than 29GW of renewable energy projects across the globe and plans to bring more than 26GW of new capacity online in the next five years.

As a service provider, RES supports 45GW of renewable assets through asset management, operations and maintenance, and spare parts provision, employing 4,500 people worldwide.

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