Martin Whiteford
- Partner
Insights | Energy
The Rise of Large-Scale Solar Projects
3 March 2025
The landscape of solar energy development in the UK has evolved rapidly in recent years.
As recently as 2017, Scotland’s largest solar project was our client Elgin Energy’s 14 MW project at Errol. Fast-forward to January 2025, and two solar projects in England, totalling almost 1 GW of capacity, plus co-located storage, were given the green light by the UK government. That is 71 times the generating capacity of Errol.
Previously, solar projects were typically smaller in scale, with developers focusing on schemes up to 49.9MW—projects that fell under the jurisdiction of Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) that were not subject to central government consent in Scotland or England. Developers also generally secured land agreements before applying for grid connections.
Now, however, we are witnessing a significant shift
Many projects we advise on are large-scale transmission network developments, with some developers securing grid connections as substantial as 1GW before approaching landowners.
- In England, these projects are classified as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and fall under the oversight of the Planning Inspectorate, rather than LPAs.
- in Scotland they are referred to the Scottish Government for determination, bringing new complexities and legal considerations for stakeholders. The Scottish Government has proposed to reform the process in Scotland to create a more efficient and streamlined system.
Government backing for solar expansion
The UK government has set the following ambitious renewable energy targets:
- doubling onshore wind capacity
- tripling solar power
- quadrupling offshore wind generation by 2030.
These goals have already led to the approval and expansion of major solar projects, with some now covering areas of over 2,000 acres. This signals strong governmental backing.
By consolidating solar installations into single large sites, developers maximise energy production while benefiting from economies of scale. While these developments raise concerns about the visual impact on the countryside and potential loss of agricultural land, they also offer potential biodiversity benefits compared to traditional crop rotations.
Grid connectivity
Grid connectivity has long been a challenge for renewable energy projects. Projects joining the grid connection queue last year would typically expect to receive a connection date in the late 2030s or later. The total grid connection queue was 739GW at the end of 2024, intensifying competition among renewable energy developers.
Reforms are now underway
National Grid (now the National Energy System Operator, or NESO) is implementing a programme to streamline grid access by eliminating stalled or non-viable “zombie” projects.
On 29 January 2025, applications for new connections were paused. Subject to final approval from Ofgem, a new grid connection approach will be adopted.
This reform follows a ‘first ready, first connected’ approach, ensuring that viable projects with secured land rights and early planning applications move up the queue. This applies to all renewables projects, not just large solar.
Developers will now need to pass two key ‘gates’ to retain their grid connection offers. Projects which fail to meet the Gate 2 criteria will be removed from the queue. To secure a Gate 2 offer, projects must meet specific criteria. These criteria are divided into two categories – “readiness” and “strategic alignment”. For a project to be classified as “ready”, it must hold land rights. Alternatively, if following the development consent order process, the developer must have submitted a validated application for planning consent.
Developers must have secured land rights being:
- an option of not less than 3 years to take a lease or to purchase sufficient land to deliver the project (Option Agreements)
- evidence that they own the land required or
- have an existing lease with a remaining minimum term of 20 years from the date of submission of Gate 2 evidence. An exclusivity agreement or a letter of support will not be sufficient.
There is also a minimum acreage requirement for each technology and a red-line drawing of the generating site must also now be provided, preventing speculative grid connection applications.
For landowners, the ongoing grid reforms present both risks and opportunities. Projects that fail to meet their Gate 2 requirements will lose their grid connection, potentially impacting existing option and lease agreements. However, for projects that are well-prepared and meet the criteria, these reforms could expedite development timelines, making it crucial for landowners to stay informed and ensure they are engaging with viable, well-structured projects.
With large-scale solar developments becoming the new norm, securing expert legal guidance is more important than ever.
How we can help
Contact Martin Whiteford at martin.whiteford@andersonstrathern.co.uk today to discuss how these changes may impact your interests and explore how we can help you navigate new opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
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