Labour approves three giant solar farms as part of ‘rooftop revolution’

• Ed Miliband has given the go-ahead for three nationally-significant solar farms
• Sunnica and Gate Burton will have an energy capacity of 500 megawatts
• Mallard Pass will provide clean energy to 92,000 homes over the next 60 years

The government wants to launch a solar rooftop revolution after approving three new projects 

Secretary of state for energy security and net zero, Ed Miliband, is planning to “unleash a solar rooftop revolution” after giving the go-ahead for three nationally-significant solar farms in the East of England. 

Gate Burton Energy Park in Lincolnshire, Sunnica Energy Farm on the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire border and Mallard Pass Solar Project on either side of the East Coast Mainline in Lincolnshire and Rutland were all approved last Friday 12 July. 

Sunnica and Gate Burton will have an energy capacity of 500 megawatts (MW), while Mallard Pass will be 350MW, with Mallard Pass expected to provide clean energy to 92,000 homes over the next 60 years. .

Announcing the three projects, Miliband said: “I want to unleash a UK solar rooftop revolution.

“We will encourage builders and homeowners in whatever way we can to deliver this win-win technology to millions of addresses in the UK so people can provide their own electricity, cut their bills and at the same time fight climate change.”

According to Solar Energy UK, their collective capacity is about two thirds of the amount of solar energy installed on rooftops and on the ground last year.

The group described the projects as a major step forward” for decarbonising the UK’s power suppliers, strengthening energy security, pushing down bills and reaching net zero. 

Chris Hewett, chief executive, Solar Energy UK, said: “We are delighted the new secretary of state has just approved three nationally significant solar farms, in his first week in office. 

“This is just the kind of clear leadership that will increase investor confidence and show that Britain is serious about tackling the climate emergency with the urgency that is needed.” 

As part of these approvals, the Labour government unveiled further plans that will mean millions of homes will be fitted with solar to help lower domestic energy bills, while tackling the climate crisis. 

Ministers are also now working with the building industry to make buying new homes with panels installed more accessible, or install them on new ones, all ahead of the King’s speech this week (Wednesday 17 July), which will also include new legislation to launch Labour’s new publicly-owned company GB Energy. 

These solar panel updates are expected to be brought in from 2025. 

The changes have been welcomed by industry experts and follows Miliband’s lift on the Torie’s de facto ban on the building of new onshore wind farms.