BayWa r.e. has received planning approval for the Oaklands Farm Solar Park under the UK’s Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) framework. The approval was granted by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, marking a major milestone in the company’s UK operations. Once operational, the South Derbyshire-based project will generate enough clean electricity to power approximately 35,000 homes.

The NSIP designation is reserved for infrastructure developments deemed vital to national interests, and represents one of the UK’s most demanding regulatory pathways. The approval follows a comprehensive three-year planning process that began with a Scoping Request in 2021. Since then, the project has undergone extensive technical assessments and public consultations, culminating in a formal six-month examination that concluded in December 2024.

Christine McGregor, Managing Director of BayWa r.e. UK Ltd., highlighted the project’s significance: “Oaklands Farm Solar Park is our fourth planning approval in 2025, increasing our consented solar capacity to 235 MW. It contributes directly to the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and is a testament to our deep commitment to community consultation and responsible development.”

BayWa r.e. Chief Operating Officer Daniel Gäfke called the NSIP approval a “pivotal achievement” that reaffirms the company’s leadership in high-standard, environmentally responsible renewable energy projects.

In response to community feedback, BayWa r.e. introduced several key adjustments to the project, including rerouting construction traffic to avoid local villages, adding new landscaping features, and developing a public footpath to improve recreational access. The solar park will also maintain its dual land use with sheep grazing among the panels, preserving agricultural activity during operations.

The project is expected to bring significant local economic benefits, including over £20 million in UK-based construction spending, more than £9 million in business rates over its lifespan, and a £2 million community benefit fund. It will also support over 110 full-time equivalent construction jobs aligned with a tailored Skills, Supply Chain and Employment Plan.

Environmentally, the solar park will deliver substantial biodiversity enhancements, including up to a 125% net gain in habitat units and dedicated breeding plots to support the local skylark population.

Construction is scheduled to commence in 2026, solidifying Oaklands Farm Solar Park as a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy transition and reinforcing BayWa r.e.’s reputation as a leading renewable energy developer.