FAQs
Tween Bridge Solar Farm is located next to RWE Renewables’ existing Tween Bridge Wind Farm and adjacent to an existing National Grid 400kv overhead powerline which runs through the site from Drax to Keadby.
We have secured an agreement with National Grid to connect Tween Bridge Solar Farm to the Drax-Keadby circuit.
While assessing the suitability of the site we considered a range of factors including:
The Government’s recent Energy Security Strategy calls for a target of up to 70 gigawatts (GW) of solar electricity generation by 2035. This is an ambitious national challenge, and meeting the Government’s target for affordable, home-grown renewable electricity will require projects like Tween Bridge Solar Farm to be delivered around the country.
Tween Bridge Solar Farm comprises a solar farm capable of generating up to 600MW of Alternating Current (AC) electricity with a co-located 400MW Battery Energy Storage System (“BESS”), enough green electricity to power over 240,000 homes*
* Calculation based on 2021 generation, and assuming average (mean) annual household consumption of 3,509 kWh, based on latest statistics from Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (Subnational Electricity and Gas Consumption Statistics Regional and Local Authority, Great Britain, 2021, Mean domestic electricity consumption (kWh per meter) by country/region, Great Britain, 2021)
Between Wednesday 4 October and Wednesday 29 November, RWE Renewables’ are undertaking a first stage of ‘non-statutory’ consultation with local residents, organisations and other stakeholders to receive preliminary views on our draft proposals. Details on how to take part in our consultation can be found on the homepage.
RWE Renewables’ will consider and have regard to all responses received once the consultation has closed.
We will then refine the proposals further, before undertaking a second round of ‘statutory’ consultation, anticipated to be held in summer 2024.
The land will simultaneously host both solar power generation and animal husbandry. It is planned for Tween Bridge Solar Farm to become one of the region’s largest sheep farms, with sheep grazing the fields within the solar farm. An opportunity has also been identified for Tween Bridge Solar Farm to host a bee farm.
More information on the dual usages of land at Tween Bridge Solar Farm can be found HERE.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are major infrastructure developments in England. These include projects such as power plants, large renewable energy projects, new airports, airport extensions and major road projects.
Tween Bridge Solar Farm is classified as an NSIP due to it having a proposed generation capacity exceeding 50MW. We are therefore required to submit an application for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero decides whether to grant consent, in accordance with the Planning Act 2008.
A Development Consent Order (DCO) is the means of obtaining permission for developments categorised as NSIPs. This includes energy, transport, water and waste projects. This application will be made to PINS who will appoint an independent Examining Authority. The Secretary of State will decide whether to approve the application.
More information about the DCO process can be found here: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk
The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) for England is an executive agency of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities of the United Kingdom Government with responsibility for making decisions and providing recommendations and advice on a range of land use planning-related issues across England.
More information on the DCO process can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website.
