The UK government has approved the One Earth Solar Farm, clearing the way for what the developer says will become the country’s second-largest solar farm.
The project will combine large-scale solar generation with battery energy storage to supply renewable electricity to more than 200,000 homes annually.
The approval represents another significant milestone in the government’s clean energy programme, which has accelerated the delivery of nationally significant infrastructure projects.
Ministers say expanding domestic renewable energy generation will strengthen energy security while helping to reduce long-term electricity costs.
According to the government, the decision also reflects continued growth in the UK’s solar sector. Official figures released last month showed that 2025 was the strongest year on record for solar deployment, with around 269,000 installations completed across the country.
One Earth Solar Farm to combine solar generation and battery storage
The One Earth Solar Farm will include a utility-scale solar installation alongside a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), enabling electricity to be generated, stored and exported to the grid.
The development is designed to produce more than 50MW of electricity, placing it within the UK’s nationally significant infrastructure category.
Developers estimate the site will generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of more than 200,000 homes each year, representing approximately half of all households in Lincolnshire.
Battery storage is expected to play an important role by allowing excess electricity generated during peak sunlight hours to be stored and released when demand is higher, improving grid flexibility and supporting a more reliable renewable energy system.
Approval follows statutory planning process
The application for the One Earth Solar Farm was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate on 27 February 2025 before being accepted for examination one month later.
The proposal then underwent a six-month examination under the Planning Act 2008. During this period, local residents, statutory consultees, local authorities and other interested parties were invited to submit evidence and comment on the project.
Following completion of the examination, the Examining Authority submitted its recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on 8 April 2026. The final approval was issued by Lord Whitehead under delegated authority from the Energy Secretary.
The Planning Inspectorate confirmed that this was the 111th energy infrastructure application determined from the 179 projects it has examined to date, with the assessment completed within the statutory timescales.
Government continues rapid clean energy rollout
The approval is the latest in a series of major renewable energy decisions announced by the UK Government.
It follows recent consent for both the Peartree Hill Solar Farm and Dean Moor Solar Farm, bringing the total number of nationally significant clean energy projects approved since July 2024 to 30.
Collectively, those projects are expected to generate enough clean electricity to supply the equivalent of more than 19 million homes.
Solar power remains one of the lowest-cost forms of electricity generation available in the UK and forms a central part of the government’s strategy to deliver a cleaner, more secure energy system.
The approval of the One Earth Solar Farm further strengthens the country’s renewable energy pipeline as the UK works towards expanding low-carbon electricity generation and supporting future energy demand.
