About Mylen Leah Solar Farm
We are in the process of developing our proposals for Mylen Leah Solar Farm, a renewable energy development which would help meet the country's need for low carbon, clean energy generation.
Mylen Leah Solar Farm is expected to have a capacity of approximately 500MW which will be exported to the National Grid helping to contribute to the ambitious UK target of 70,000 MW (70GW) of solar capacity by 2035, and the commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050.
We are still in the early design stages. Feedback received through consultation and the results of our ongoing studies such as ecological and landscape and visual, which are part of the Environmental Impact Assessment for Mylen Leah, will continue to inform our proposals going forward.
Currently we expect Mylen Leah Solar Farm to be located on approximately 1,200 hectares of existing farm land. Not all of the land will be used for solar energy generation. Initial studies have provided a high-level understanding of the areas we are considering for solar energy generation and biodiversity measures. These have helped shape the indicative plan below, know as an indicative concept masterplan. The plan includes the search area where the underground cable route to connect the development to the National Grid could be located.
The areas that will not be used for solar generation provide opportunities for delivering a range of biodviersity enhancements and habitat management measures, along with dedicated areas for landscaping and screening.
If approved the project will not only provide clean energy but will also deliver a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain and a community benefit fund.
The Planning Process
As the proposal for Mylen Leah Solar Farm is greater than 50MW, the scheme is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). NSIPs are major developments which require consent from the Secretary of State through a Development Consent Order (DCO). This means that we will submit a DCO Application to the national Planning Inspectorate (PINS). PINS will consider the application and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for determination in accordance with the Planning Act 2008. We expect to submit our application towards the end of 2025.
Find out more about NSIPs and the DCO process.