We are considering the suitability of up to 770 hectares to accommodate solar PV panels and associated infrastructure. Further to this, we are considering the potential areas for mitigation and enhancement measures.

National level – Net Zero and energy security 

The UK has set ambitious and legally binding climate change targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, while ensuring that the energy supply remains secure, reliable, and affordable. Together with legally binding commitments such as these, the UK Government has further set out how the deployment of renewable technologies such as solar will be accelerated in its Make Britain a clean energy superpower (2024).

The Government aims to achieve 70 GW of solar power by 2035. According to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, approximately 17GW of solar had been installed in the UK as of 2022. This means increasing the UK’s solar capacity four-fold by 2035. The Droves Solar Farm would contribute towards achieving this by helping provide a reliable source of affordable energy.

Local level – Norfolk County Council

Norfolk County Council recognises the urgent need to address climate change and has committed to taking action through its Environmental Policy (2019) and Climate Strategy (2023). Its Climate Strategy, unanimously endorsed in March 2024, outlines the Council’s commitment to leading by example and safeguarding the county for future generations.

Local level – Breckland Council

Breckland District Council declared a climate emergency in September 2019. Since then, the Council has committed to reducing the level of greenhouse gases within the district. It is striving to achieve net zero as an organisation by 2035 and has also developed a Sustainability Strategy (2021-2035).

The Droves Solar Farm has the potential to generate up to 500 MWac, providing a substantial source of renewable electricity for the region and country, and allowing Breckland and Norfolk to make a vital contribution to local and national net zero targets.

The BESS proposed at The Droves Solar Farm would provide storage for up to 500 MW of electricity.

BESS means that renewable energy, including solar and wind power, can contribute to national electricity supplies even when there is no wind or sunlight. At the same time, BESS supports the national grid to level out electricity load, balancing fluctuations in energy demand during the day and reducing congestion on the grid. This contributes to improvements in power quality by smoothing out voltage fluctuations.

In the Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1), Government’s emerging policy position is in favour of BESS and they have said: “Storage has a key role to play in achieving net zero and providing flexibility to the energy system, so that high volumes of low carbon power, heat and transport can be integrated.”

We are aiming to submit the application to PINS in winter 2025. Further details about the Project timeline will be made available during statutory consultation, currently scheduled for spring 2025.

The site is considered a ‘temporary’ development, meaning it would be decommissioned after a set period of 60 years and returned to its original use.

The Environmental Statement will assess the proposal as temporary and take into account the need to replace equipment during its operational lifetime.

We are a community-led developer and are focussed on ensuring our Project delivers lasting benefits to the local area including by creating job opportunities, generating business rates, enhancing the natural environment, and direct funding for important causes through community benefit funds.

We will ensure, wherever possible, local contractors and suppliers have the opportunity to become part of The Droves Solar Farm. Most of the employment and contractor opportunities will likely be available during the construction phase , if the Project is granted planning permission.

There will be multiple opportunities for local businesses and employees to register their interest in working with us from as early as the planning stage.

In the past, we have -successfully delivered a range of community benefits as part of our solar and energy storage projects.

We are currently gathering ideas from local community groups and elected representatives on how we can contribute funding to projects and initiatives in the area, including a potential community benefit fund. If you have any ideas on how we can invest in your local community, please contact us on: info@drovessolarfarm.co.uk.

The Droves Solar Farm and High Grove Solar Farm are two separate NSIPs, being developed by IGP and RWE respectively. At present, there is a small section of overlap between the southernmost area of The Droves Site Boundary and High Grove’s indicative underground cable route corridor. To provide greater clarity, we have worked with RWE to produce a map illustrating the extent of this overlap.

High Grove Solar Farm is a solar and battery storage project being brought forward by RWE. High Grove would provide 720MW of clean energy and is distributed across five distinct Proposed Development Areas in Norfolk, approximately 1.5km southwest of Dereham, and extending to the west of Swaffham toward RAF Marham.

Both projects are at the pre-application stage and will be conducting separate public consultations in Q2 of 2025. We encourage anyone with an interest in either proposal to participate in both consultations and provide separate feedback for each project.

We are in regular contact with RWE and are working together to assess the cumulative impacts of the two projects. This includes exploring opportunities to deliver community benefits in partnership. By working collaboratively, we can broaden the scope of these initiatives and maximise their positive impact on local communities and the surrounding area.

To learn more about the High Grove Solar Farm proposals, please visit their website: rwe.com/highgrove