Government gives green light to new 1,900MW solar farm

The government's approval of a large-scale solar project in North Yorkshire has drawn sharp criticism from local campaigners. Energy Minister Martin McCluskey stated that the 1,900MW Helios Solar Farm, near Camblesforth close to Selby, represents a significant move toward establishing the UK as a global leader in clean energy.

Local residents, however, argued that the public consultation process was largely symbolic, claiming their input was disregarded. The project developer, Enso Energy, has indicated that the solar farm will generate enough electricity to supply approximately 47,500 homes.

McCluskey issued a Development Consent Order on Wednesday, a planning approval reserved for nationally significant infrastructure projects. In his report, he emphasized that the "national need" for renewable energy outweighs any potential local drawbacks.

The report highlighted the economic and social benefits of the scheme: "Households in Yorkshire have faced soaring energy bills due to fluctuating gas prices. The sustainable solution is to generate clean, domestic power under our control. Approving the Helios Solar Farm supports our goal of making Britain a clean energy leader, while creating jobs, boosting the economy, and protecting family finances."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the solar farm will span 476 hectares of farmland, making it one of the UKs largest solar projects. It will feature a battery energy storage system (BESS) and connect to the national grid via an underground cable at the nearby Drax power station.

A spokesperson for the campaign group HALT, which opposes the development, expressed deep concern: "We feel immense disappointment, frustration, and worry for our future. Many of our responses to consultations were ignored or dismissed, with no clear commitments from the authorities."

They also criticized the governments "ideological and politically driven" net zero target for 2050, arguing that it has led to local concerns being overridden. Achieving net zero involves balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with the amount removed from the atmosphere, essentially preventing additional contributions to climate change.

The Helios Solar Farm is part of a broader series of solar projects being proposed in the former Selby district, all of which are undergoing the planning process.

Author: Logan Reeves