RWE, one of the UK's leading power generators, has received confirmation of planning permission for its Byers Gill solar farm, located near Stockton and Darlington in the UK. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero delivered the final decision following RWE's submission of the planning application in February 2024.

Project Specifications and Location

The Byers Gill project is located between Stockton and Darlington in the North East of England. The development consists of a 180 MW (AC) solar farm that would be combined with a 180 MW (AC) battery energy storage system (BESS), subject to a successful financial investment decision being taken.

As the capacity of the project was greater than 50 MW, the application was considered under the UK's nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) planning regime. According to Adam Swarbrick, RWE UK Head of Solar and Storage, Byers Gill is RWE's largest co-located solar and battery storage development project to be consented in the UK, and the first to successfully navigate the detailed scrutiny of the NSIP examination process.

Energy Output and Grid Integration

Once fully constructed, Byers Gill would be capable of delivering enough low-carbon energy to meet the equivalent annual needs of over 70,000 homes. The co-location design enables RWE to store power generated by the solar farm, ready to be released into the grid at a moment's notice during times of high demand, while further strengthening the UK's own energy security.

Environmental and Community Benefits

The project aims to deliver economic, environmental, and community benefits to the local area. The development plans include significant biodiversity gains, continued agricultural use of the land, and creation of new local wildlife habitats.

RWE's Broader UK Solar Portfolio

This latest consent further strengthens RWE's solar and battery storage development pipeline in the UK. The company currently has 11 solar projects under construction in the UK and earlier in July 2025 marked the energisation of its first UK solar site, Langford. Together, these construction and operational projects total 577 MW (AC) alongside 105 MW (AC) of co-located battery storage. Swarbrick stated that the successful consent is "a testament to the expertise and capability that sits within RWE's development teams." He indicated that RWE's next step is to work towards an internal investment decision for the Byers Gill project. The Byers Gill project represents a significant milestone in RWE's expansion of renewable energy infrastructure in the UK, supporting the country's energy security ambitions through large-scale solar and battery storage development.

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