Nottinghamshire has long powered the nation through coal and gas generation at West Burton Power Station in the UK. That energy legacy is set to continue through a critical shift to renewable energy as Steeple Renewables Project is granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero.
During construction and operation, the project is expected to deliver an estimated £224 million of investment in the local economy by supporting approximately 400 jobs, spending with nearby businesses as well as business rates throughout its operational life.
RES, the world’s largest independent renewable energy company, headquartered in Hertfordshire, has been developing the nationally significant scheme near Sturton-le-Steeple since 2023. Once operational, the project will combine solar generation and battery storage, with a total grid connection capacity of up to 600 MW. The solar element is expected to generate enough clean, homegrown electricity to meet the needs of approximately 180 000 homes every year, roughly half the households in Nottinghamshire. The battery storage will add flexibility by storing electricity when supply is plentiful and releasing it when demand rises.
The consented project will also deliver biodiversity net gain measures designed to leave the land richer in nature than it is today, alongside a tailored community benefits package worth approximately £13 million over the project’s lifetime, which could include RES’ Local Electricity Discounts Scheme (LEDS).
Karl O’Mullan, Solar Development Director at RES, noted: “This area in Nottinghamshire has a proud energy history and Steeple Renewables Project will build on that legacy by connecting the new technologies supporting the country’s clean energy future. Today’s decision puts the county back at the centre of power generation in Britain alongside economic benefits that come with it. We thank everyone who has engaged with us and helped shape the project over the past few years, including local residents, landowners, parish councils, and statutory bodies. We look forward to building the project with the support of local businesses and supply chain.”
The Secretary of State’s decision follows a thorough examination by the Planning Inspectorate, during which RES and interested parties submitted nearly 700 documents as part of the Development Consent Order process. The decision follows several years of development, environmental assessment, and consultation with statutory consultees, local authorities, and communities.
The next steps include detailed design, discharge of requirements, and preparations for delivery. Local communities and stakeholders will be kept updated as the project progresses.
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