Lumiere Solar farm | RWE in the UK
Lumiere Solar farm | RWE in the UK

In development | Solar Farm

Lostrigg Solar Farm

Consultation now open

Wednesday 11th September to Wednesday 23rd October 2024.

Project Overview

RWE is developing proposals for a new solar farm with co-located energy storage in Cumbria. The solar farm, named Lostrigg Solar, is to be located on land alongside the A595, between Little Clifton and Branthwaite.

With a possible generation capacity of up to 100 megawatts (MW) AC, Lostrigg Solar will provide clean, affordable energy for around 45,000 homes and businesses. In doing so, the project will support national and regional aims to decarbonise our electricity system and improve our energy security.

Facts & figures

00 MW

of clean energy

Over 00 homes

powered with electricity

Over 00 M tonnes

of CO₂ displaced from equivalent fossil fuel energy

Where we are now

Our first phase of community consultation is now live, running from Wednesday 11th September to Wednesday 23rd October 2024. 

We welcome feedback from interested parties and local communities and are committed to undertaking a transparent and rigorous consultation process, which involves engaging with local planning authorities, interested groups and statutory consultees. 

We will be holding a series of information events during the first phase of consultation, providing opportunities for the community to find out more information about the proposals, meet members of the project team and provide their feedback. For more information, please click here

We want to hear your feedback on our early-stage proposals to help inform the final design. You can complete a feedback form at any of our in-person information events, or online via this link, or by email or freepost by downloading a copy of our feedback form and sending this to us using the contact information provided below. The deadline to submit feedback is 23:59pm Wednesday 23rd October 2024. 

This website will be updated as more information about the project becomes available. If you would like to be updated as new information becomes available, please register your contact details with us here.

Once constructed, Lostrigg Solar would comprise:

  • Three areas of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels

  • Co-located battery energy storage system (BESS) which will serve to improve reliability and efficiency of electricity supply

  • An on-site substation

  • Two 132kV pylons (existing or replacement)

  • Cabling to connect the panel areas to each other and the existing Electricity North West (ENW) network

  • A range of supporting infrastructure, including inverters and security measures such as fencing, CCTV and lighting

  • And environmental mitigation and enhancement measures such as biodiversity net gain, public rights of way, and additional planting.

Site Location

Lostrigg Solar is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) because it would generate more than 50 MW of electricity. This means that we will be applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) through the Planning Inspectorate. Our DCO application is planned to be submitted in the second half of 2025. Prior to this, we will engage with local communities and consultees on our proposals for Lostrigg Solar.

We are committed to working with local communities and statutory stakeholders throughout the development of the project. We value local knowledge – your feedback is integral to the development of Lostrigg Solar in shaping a strong set of proposals that respect the concerns of the local community, while generating clean, renewable energy.


Project benefits

Icon Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity Net Gain

Boost local biodiversity by establishing wildflower meadows and grassland areas.

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Biodiversity Net Gain
Icon Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure

Explore opportunities to enhance green infrastructure, such as introduce new public rights of way, woodland blocks and hedgerow planting.

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Green Infrastructure
Icon Grazing

Grazing

Allow continued agricultural use by exploring opportunities to retain grazing under solar panels.

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Grazing
Icon Business Rates

Comunity benefit fund

Support local initiatives through a community benefit fund.

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Business Rates

DCO Process

Lostrigg Solar is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) because it would generate more than 50 MW of electricity.  

The 2008 Planning Act provides the consenting regime for a NSIP. This means that we will submit an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) on behalf of the Secretary of State, rather than to the local planning authority.  

In the case of energy-related development PINS, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), will carry out an examination of our proposals and then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State on whether to grant consent for the development. Consent would be determined by the Secretary of State.  

We anticipate that the pre-application process through to DCO submission and examination will take between two and three years, and we intend to submit our DCO application to PINS in Autumn 2025. Subject to achieving consent, construction would begin no earlier than Spring 2027.

Michael Baker
Michael Baker

Michael Baker

Project Manager

Lostrigg Solar

I’m Michael, the DCO Project Manager for Lostrigg Solar. As the Project Manager for this project, I am committed to working collaboratively with local communities to ensure their voices are heard. My passion lies in creating sustainable energy solutions while also minimising adverse impacts on the local environment and surrounding communities. If you have any questions for our project team, please do not hesitate to get in touch using the communications channels listed below.

www.lostriggsolar.com

FREEPOST LOSTRIGG SOLAR