Picture: Sunnica
Power Safety and Web-Zero Secretary Clare Coutinho has re-set the statutory deadline for figuring out the event consent order (DCO) for the Sunnica Power Farm, with the planning inspectorate confirming that the power safety secretary has determined to push again the choice on the DCO till 20 June.
In a written assertion to the Home of Commons, Coutinho had beforehand stated the choice was resulting from be issued by Thursday (11 April). This was already the third deadline set by ministers for a choice on the scheme, which was initially resulting from be decided no later than final September.
The general public inquiry into Sunnica’s DCO utility concluded in March final 12 months and the inspectorate’s suggestion was submitted in June to the Secretary of State, who makes the ultimate choice on such main infrastructure schemes.
Sunnica is planning to cowl 2,500 acres with photo voltaic panels on three websites close to Newmarket on the border between Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
If constructed, the scheme shall be greater than ten occasions the dimensions of the Shotwick photo voltaic park in Flintshire, presently reckoned to be the biggest within the UK.
Nevertheless, the plans have encountered heavy flak from native MPs, together with Coutinho’s Cupboard colleague, Lucy Frazer, who’s secretary of state for digital and tradition.
The federal government has pledged to hurry up the planning course of for renewable tasks by setting tighter deadlines for choices, however critics are involved that most of the greatest delays are the results of ministerial procrastination, like that bedevilling Sunnica’s utility.
Chris Hewett, chief govt of Photo voltaic Power UK, stated: “The photo voltaic business is annoyed by the blended indicators coming from authorities on planning. There was a string of ministerial choices in latest weeks overturning or delaying suggestions to approve planning permission for particular photo voltaic farms.
“The largest was put back for an extraordinary fourth time today. Such prevarication creates serious doubts amongst potential investors in the UK clean energy economy and their money could easily go overseas, wasting potential for growth and jobs.”
Hewett stated he’s “very much looking forward” to the launch of the federal government’s roadmap to reaching its goal of 70GW of photo voltaic era capability by 2035, which is predicted within the coming weeks.
This may lay out commitments on abilities, grid entry, the availability chain and rooftop photo voltaic.
David Blackman for Utility Week
This text first appeared on edie’s sister title, Utility Week
