RWE reveals plans for mega solar farm spread across parts of Swaffham and Sporle which could power 363,000 homes

Plans have been revealed to build a solar farm big enough to power 363,000 homes close to a town - which could make it the biggest in the UK.

RWE, an international renewable energy company, has proposed to build a 720-megawatt (MW) solar farm with integrated battery storage which would be located across 4,000 acres of land on five sites in parts of Swaffham and Breckland.

The company has said that the ambitious project - called High Grove Solar Farm - would provide a “significant contribution” to the UK’s renewable energy capacity.

Proposed site areas for the solar farm would be located north of Swaffham, in Sporle and on land between Narborough and Swaffham.

It would be the most ambitious infrastructure project of its kind and fifteen times larger than Llanwern solar park in Wales, currently the UK’s largest at around 260 acres.

RWE has launched a series of public consultations for residents living around the area - including in Swaffham and Sporle.

The project is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and will require an application to be made for a Development Consent Order (DCO).

Once submitted, the application would be considered at a public examination by the Planning Inspectorate, which will advise the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero before a decision on the application is made.

The solar panels would be connected via underground cables, culminating at a new National Grid substation, which would connect to the existing high-voltage electricity transmission network.

RWE has launched an early public consultation to allow residents and stakeholders the opportunity to view the proposals, engage with members of the project team, ask questions and provide feedback.

Mike Greslow, RWE project manager for the High Grove Solar Farm, said: "The High Grove project will generate renewable electricity for the equivalent of around 363,000 typical UK homes and save almost 25 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over its lifetime.

“As we prepare to submit our DCO application in autumn 2025, this early non-statutory consultation presents an excellent opportunity for the public and stakeholders to review our initial proposals and share their thoughts.”

He added: “RWE understand the importance of community consultation, as only by working with local people can we ensure the best possible scheme is delivered.

“The company hope local people will take the opportunity to find out more about the plans by visiting the website and attending one of the drop-in events or webinars.”

RWE has said it wants to bring “wider benefits to the community” and proposes to create a benefit fund to support initiatives in Breckland.

The company say that it is expected that up to £11.5 million will be provided over 40 years in annual payments.

The public consultation has now opened and will close on Friday, October 18, with public consultation events due to take place in the next few weeks.

They are as follows:

- Tuesday, September 17 from 2pm-7pm: Regency Room at Swaffham Assembly Rooms

- Saturday, September 28 from 10.30am-2.30pm: Ashill Community Centre

- Friday, October 4, from 1pm-6pm: Necton Community Centre

- Saturday, October 5 from 10.30am to 2.30pm: Sporle Village Hall

More details about the proposed plans for High Grove Solar Farm can be found on RWE’s website.

Earlier this month, energy secretary Ed Miliband said solar power is “crucial” to delivering on the government’s broader ambitions to hit net zero by 2050.

He has also declared his intention to push onshore wind and solar farms ahead where the case for them is merited.

The 600MW Cottam solar project in Lincolnshire is one of the latest to be given the green light by Mr Milliband, despite strong local objections to the plan.

Additional reporting by Eleanor Storey, Local Democracy Reporter