The UK approves its largest solar project in the north-east of the country

The UK approves Cottam's 600 MW solar project, including battery storage, signalling a step forward in its energy strategy.

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The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) grants approval for the 600 MW Cottam solar project developed by Island Green Power.
Located on former Cottam coal-fired power station infrastructure, the project is the largest of its kind in the UK to date.
Its strategic location between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire means that existing network connections can be reused, optimizing costs and deployment.
This approval is part of a series of recent measures by the UK government to boost its renewable energy generation capacity.
In July, three further solar farms with a combined capacity of 1.35 GW were given the go-ahead.
These developments illustrate the government’s determination to significantly increase the share of solar power in the national energy mix, through the reallocation of disused industrial land.

Energy storage and grid flexibility

Cottam’s project is not limited to solar power generation.
It also includes a 600 MW battery storage system, designed to stabilize supply and enhance the resilience of the power grid.
Energy storage is becoming an essential component in the integration of renewable energies, offering a solution to the challenges posed by the intermittency of solar and wind power sources.
This development follows a global trend where renewable energy projects increasingly include storage capabilities to maximize efficiency and profitability.
With this approach, the UK seeks to minimize the risks associated with the variability of solar generation and ensure a more stable and predictable energy supply.

Price trends and competitiveness of solar modules

The project’s approval comes against a backdrop of falling solar module costs in Europe.
According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, module prices delivered in Europe are valued at 0.12 EUR/W for volumes ranging from 5 MW to 50 MW, a significant reduction since July.
This downward trend, reinforced by falling transport costs, is encouraging the development of large-scale solar projects such as the Cottam project.
These economic conditions are creating a favorable environment for solar expansion in the UK, encouraging investment and supporting the competitiveness of domestic projects against European markets.
This situation could also prompt other developers to step up their solar energy and storage projects in the UK.

Solar energy development supported by energy policies

Government support, illustrated by the Cottam project and other recent initiatives, reflects a policy geared towards increasing solar capacity.
In the sixth round of Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions, 3.3 GW of solar projects were awarded, including EDF Renewables’ 500 MW Longfield project.
The support framework established by these CfDs provides crucial revenue predictability for renewable energy developers.
These policies aim to make solar more competitive, notably by integrating storage elements for efficient management of the energy produced.
Projects like Cottam’s demonstrate how business and government are working together to meet energy and energy security objectives.

Geronimo Power has started construction of the Bee Hollow solar project, valued at $54mn, in St. Clair County, delivering jobs, tax revenue and a partnership with the IMEA municipal agency.
The British government has approved Tillbridge Solar Farm, a 500-MW solar power plant with 2,310 MWh of energy storage, developed by Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy.
wpd solar France has launched construction of a 140.6MWc photovoltaic park in Marcy, in the Nièvre department, integrating agricultural co-activity across 632 hectares in partnership with five local farms.
Independent energy producer CVE has inaugurated a 12 MWc solar farm on municipal land in Volx, generating 19 GWh annually and an estimated €5mn in economic returns over 30 years.
GreenYellow strengthens its presence in the French overseas territories with the acquisition of 18 rooftop photovoltaic installations in Réunion, totalling 3.1 MWc in capacity, as part of a strategy to consolidate its decentralised energy assets.
The rapid rise of agri-voltaic projects in France raises concerns over agricultural impact, land speculation and the economic viability of a still-emerging model.
Norwegian developer Empower New Energy expands in North Africa with a strategic partnership involving ten industrial solar sites for self-consumption in Tunisia.
Chinese manufacturer JA Solar has started initial deliveries of its 650W n-type DeepBlue 5.0 module from its automated production site in Yangzhou.
Melvan is issuing local bonds to co-finance two photovoltaic projects in Avignon and Sault, aiming to supplement a total budget of EUR5.5mn ($5.82mn).
The 50 MW Kong solar power plant marks a new step in Côte d’Ivoire’s national grid expansion, with CFA37bn ($60.5mn) in funding and commissioning set for early 2027.
EDP will accelerate two major solar projects in Australia after securing government-backed contracts under the Capacity Investment Scheme.
Westbrooke Real et son partenaire CVE South Africa ont racheté un portefeuille solaire couvrant 91 stations Shell en Afrique du Sud, marquant un transfert d’actifs majeur dans le secteur énergétique local.
The commissioning of the 195 MW Springbok plant introduces the continent’s first utility-scale multi-buyer model, reinforcing the growth of power wheeling in South Africa.
The consortium led by Engie and Masdar has been selected to develop a 1.5 GW photovoltaic plant in Abu Dhabi, aimed at expanding the emirate’s solar capacity under its long-term energy strategy.
T1 Energy invests in private solar cell manufacturer Talon PV to support industrial expansion of the U.S. solar sector and address rising grid demand.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is reviewing a loan for a 100 MW photovoltaic project led by Qair in Tunisia, backed by a long-term power purchase agreement with the national utility.
French independent producer CVE has commissioned an agrivoltaic pilot project in Haute-Loire, aiming to test solar panel integration on a cattle farm ahead of a future 12 MWc installation.
Geronimo Power celebrated the near completion of its 125 MW solar farm in Jackson County, marking a major step for the local economy and regional power grid.
GOLDBECK SOLAR Polska has received the Final Operational Notification for its Zwartowo photovoltaic facility, marking a key regulatory milestone in the development of large-scale solar projects in Poland.
H.E Energy will develop 100 low-voltage solar facilities totalling 10MWDC in Hokkaido for SMFL Mirai Partners, with commissioning scheduled by June 2026.

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