The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has granted approval for the 600 MW Cottam solar power project being developed by Island Green Power . It will be located on the former coal-fired power station infrastructure at Cottam, in the northeast of England, and the project is the largest of its kind in the UK to date.
The project also includes a 600 MW battery storage system to stabilise supply and enhance the resilience of the power grid.
The project’s approval comes as solar module costs in Europe have been falling. According to S&P Global Commodity Insights , module prices in Europe are currently €0.12/W for volumes ranging from 5 MW to 50 MW. The downward price trend, combined with falling transport costs, is encouraging development of large-scale solar power projects in the UK.