Our Phase Two (Statutory) Consultation is now closed, having run for six weeks from Wednesday 19th March to Wednesday 30th April 2025.

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.

Following the increase in the solar project generating capacity threshold under the Planning Act 2008 from 50 MW to 100 MW, RWE now intends to seek consent for Lostrigg Solar under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. For more information, please visit the FAQs page of the website.

We have now concluded our second phase of community consultation, which ran for six weeks, between Wednesday 19th March and Wednesday 30th April 2025. We welcomed feedback from interested parties and communities surrounding the site, and remain committed to undertaking a transparent and rigorous consultation process.

You may have seen that RWE has withdrawn Lostrigg Solar from the Planning Inspectorate’s list of active projects; this is due to a decision to progress Lostrigg Solar as a TCPA (Town and Country Planning Act) project, instead of as an NSIP (Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project).

Following the increase in the solar project generating capacity threshold under the Planning Act 2008 from 50 MW to 100 MW, RWE intends to seek consent for Lostrigg Solar under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

A planning application will be submitted to Cumberland Council, the host local planning authority, rather than applying for a Development Consent Order under the Planning Act 2008. Following this change, the project will now be paused until the Autumn of this year, with a further update on next steps provided prior to this.

We want to reassure you that all feedback received during Phase Two Consultation will be duly considered, and we will continue to engage with all those who have an interest in the project.

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 electricity.

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.