Major milestone as Government grants Development Consent Order for Springwell Solar Farm
North Kesteven, Lincolnshire (8 April 2026) – Springwell Solar Farm has secured a major planning milestone after the UK Government granted it a Development Consent Order (DCO), enabling the project to progress towards construction.
The consent follows a detailed examination process which, since the application was submitted in November 2024, has included extensive consultation with local communities, stakeholders and statutory bodies. The feedback gathered during this process helped shape the project, which has been jointly developed by EDF power solutions limited and Luminous Energy.
EDF power solutions UK’s Director of Storage, Solar and Private Wire Matthew Boulton said,
“This decision is an important step forward for Springwell Solar Farm. We welcome the Government’s approval following a thorough review of the project.
I would like to thank everyone who took part in the public examination process and consultations. As the project moves forward, we remain committed to working collaboratively with local communities and partners to reduce the impacts of construction while delivering long-term benefits for the region.”
Located between Sleaford and Lincoln in Lincolnshire, Springwell will make an important contribution to the UK’s future energy mix by providing enough renewable, secure energy to power over 180,000 homes* every year once operational.
The Springwell project also includes 12km of new footpaths, over 15km of proposed new hedgerows and a community growing area which would be available for public use. A community benefit fund would provide £400 per megawatt of installed capacity to support local projects.
EDF power solutions and Luminous Energy will now consider the details of the consent and programme for delivery of the project, before engaging with stakeholders and the community on our plans to bring this project forward into construction. Once this is complete, it is planned for Springwell to export electricity to the national grid from 2029.
For further information, please contact:
info@springwellsolarfarm.co.uk
0800 038 3486
* Based upon the average domestic electricity consumption per home (temperature corrected) per the Energy Consumption in the UK (published September 2021, Table C9 of ECUK: Consumption data tables)
** Based on 2021 census data (homes within the Lincolnshire County Council area)
— ENDS —
Notes to editors
About Springwell Solar Farm
Springwell Solar Farm is a proposed new solar farm with battery storage located on land between Lincoln and Sleaford. Springwell has a grid connection agreement with National Grid that allows the export of up to 800MW of electricity to this network. Springwell is backed by EDF power solutions UK and Luminous Energy.
About EDF power solutions
EDF power solutions UK and Ireland is a subsidiary of the EDF Group, one of the world’s largest low carbon electricity companies. Our goal is to have 10 GW of operational projects by 2035 to support the UK and Ireland in moving to clean power and to do whatever we can to ensure communities and businesses enjoy access to a diverse, reliable, and affordable low-carbon energy mix for decades to come.
Previously known as EDF Renewables UK and Ireland, EDF power solutions UK and Ireland has an operating portfolio of 50 renewable energy sites including solar, battery, onshore and offshore wind (together totalling more than 2GW). We are providing much needed affordable, low carbon electricity across the UK and have an expanding portfolio with almost 14GW of projects in planning and development. Find out more at www.edf-re.uk.
About Luminous Energy
Luminous Energy is a leading developer of international solar and storage projects with a portfolio of high quality-projects delivered and in development across the UK, USA, Australia, and Germany. Established in 2013, the renewable energy company is committed to giving more people all over the world access to clean and affordable renewable generated electricity. www.luminous.energy T: UK +44(0)333 577 0190
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
Springwell is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) because of its generating capacity (over 100MW). NSIPs require planning permission to be granted by the relevant Secretary of State through a Development Consent Order (DCO). Further information about the DCO process is available at the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/
