The UK government has approved a major solar energy project spanning over 3,100 acres in East Yorkshire. The development, led by Boom Power, will generate up to 400 megawatts of electricity, enough to power around 100,000 homes and connect to the National Grid via the Drax substation in North Yorkshire.
The solar installation will be on agricultural land near Gribthorpe, Spaldington, Wressle, and Howden. Given its scale, the project was classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and reviewed by the Planning Inspectorate. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ultimately determined that the development’s public benefits outweigh environmental and land-use concerns.
The scheme includes commitments to biodiversity improvements such as new tree and hedgerow planting and designated wildlife areas. However, the approval has drawn criticism from local opposition groups concerned about the loss of farmland and the cumulative industrial impact of future regional projects.
