Feb 7, 2025

Island Green Power has received approval for a 46MW solar farm in the UK.


Island Green Power has received approval to construct a 46MW solar farm and battery energy storage system near Welby, Lincolnshire.

The planning committee of South Kesteven has sanctioned the Welby Solar Farm project, which is anticipated to generate sufficient clean energy to supply around 14,500 homes.

The initiative will feature ground-mounted solar panels alongside a battery storage facility to retain excess electricity.

Island Green Power adjusted the plans based on public feedback.

Construction is projected to commence within three years.

Sam Aitchison, the Project Manager for Welby Solar Farm, expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the planning process for their input, which aided in refining the plans.

He stated, "We will maintain close communication with South Kesteven and local residents to ensure the project is executed in the best manner possible."

The company has committed to situating the solar panels away from woodlands, trees, ponds, and areas of archaeological importance.

The original site layout spanned 40 hectares, but this has been minimized to 19 hectares by excluding a central field to establish a habitat for skylarks.

The solar panels will be organized in rows with distances of 4.5 to 7.5 meters apart and will move throughout the day to follow the sun for maximum efficiency.

The battery storage facility and related infrastructures, including a substation, inverter stations, CCTV, and communication devices, will be designed to be as minimally intrusive as possible, according to the company.

Once operational, the solar farm will function for 40 years, producing clean electricity that will be supplied to the grid.

Dave Elvin, the Chief Development Officer at Island Green Power, welcomed the planning committee's decision.

He added, "Welby will build on our strong history of executing projects that significantly contribute to sustainability, aiding the UK’s shift to clean, domestically produced renewable energy."