East Pye solar farm would cost £1bn to build, according to Island Green Power (IGP), its developer, making it the most expensive solar farm in the UK.

Located near Norfolk the proposed site would cover 2,700 acres of countryside, and has been controversial, with residents generally against the scheme and loss of agricultural land.

The 500MW development would comprise the installation of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and a battery energy storage system (BESS) with infrastructure that connects the scheme to the existing 400kV overhead line.

The size of the scheme and potential energy generation means that East Pye Solar is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and must apply for planning permission by submitting an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO). This is determined by the Secretary of State at central government level, with the local authorities hosting the development acting as key consultees in that process.

Public hearings on the scheme are due to begin this month.

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