The decision follows a multi-year planning, consultation and examination process. The Development Consent Order (DCO) application was submitted on 27 June 2025, accepted on 22 July 2025 and examined between November 2025 and 28 April 2026.
The project has a grid export capacity of up to 800 MW AC. Annual generation is modelled at around 1.1 TWh, equivalent to the annual electricity use of around 400,000 homes. The project will connect into the existing Staythorpe 400kV substation.
GNR also includes 440 MW, 880 MWh battery storage. This will allow electricity to be stored and exported when needed.
The project is expected to add a significant new source of home-grown renewable electricity to Great Britain’s energy system at a time when geopolitical uncertainty and volatile international energy markets have reinforced the importance of energy security. Construction is anticipated from 2027, with first electricity export expected from 2028. This demonstrates the role large-scale solar can play in bringing substantial new generating capacity onto the system within a relatively short timeframe.
“Development consent for the Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park (GNR) is one of the most significant milestones in Elements Green’s UK development programme” said Rasmus Friis, CEO of Elements Green, said: “It marks a decisive step forward for one of our largest and most strategically important projects, moving GNR into its next phase and bringing its potential benefits closer to realisation. This consent reflects years of sustained work by our dedicated team, as well as contributions from the many organisations, landowners, local stakeholders and individuals in the surrounding communities. We are grateful for their engagement and recognise the responsibility that comes with delivering a project of this scale and importance. Britain needs a more secure supply of home-grown renewable electricity as demand grows and the energy system becomes increasingly electrified. Solar generation and battery storage can be deployed quickly and at scale. GNR offers a major opportunity to deliver new renewable power to the grid, strengthen the UK’s energy resilience and reduce exposure to volatility in international energy markets. Our focus is now on turning this consent into responsible delivery. We’re committed to creating long-term value through new energy infrastructure, investment, jobs and meaningful opportunities for communities around the project, while upholding the highest standards of environmental stewardship and engagement.”
Alongside renewable energy generation, 323 hectares (approximately 800 acres) are dedicated to biodiversity areas outside the solar panel areas. Current project commitments include planting 64,500 trees, around 31 hectares of new woodland and over 50 kilometres of new hedgerow. The project will deliver Biodiversity Net Gain increases of 41.7 percent in habitat units, 26.5 percent in hedgerow units and 11.05 percent in watercourse units.
These measures are designed to create and connect habitats for wildlife, including pollinators and the insects that form an important part of the food chain for birds and other species. New wildflower grassland, hedgerows, trees, woodland and wetland habitats will provide more varied places for wildlife to feed, breed and move through the landscape.
The landscape measures also have a practical purpose for people living around the project. New and strengthened hedgerows, woodland and tree planting have been designed to screen views of solar infrastructure, reduce visual impacts and retain important views where possible, and create a greener landscape as planting matures. The scheme has also been designed with low-profile panels and changes to panel locations in response to landscape and visual assessments and consultation feedback. 
GNR has also been designed to enable farming and energy generation to coexist. The project has sought to avoid the highest-quality agricultural land, sheep grazing is proposed beneath and around solar arrays, and 144 hectares of arable land will be retained with conservation management for birds. The land remains a temporary use, with an operational life of around 40 years before decommissioning and restoration. 
Periods of hotter and drier weather have also increased attention on how water is managed across the landscape and how healthy soils are maintained. GNR includes sustainable drainage measures, grassed areas, swales and constructed wetlands designed to slow and absorb surface water. Tree planting and vegetation will also help water absorption, reduce erosion and support soil stability. The project has worked with Trent Rivers Trust on Natural Flood Management measures intended to ensure GNR does not increase existing flood risk.
22 new permissive footpaths and 6 new permissive bridleways are proposed, along with a 50.6 km circular recreational route around the Order Limits, including 12.5 km of new permissive path, improving opportunities for access across and around the site. 
“Consultation has played an important role in shaping GNR” added John Hetherton, UK Managing Director, said: “We listened attentively to feedback on issues including landscape, biodiversity, access and construction traffic, and made practical changes to the design in response. That approach was recognised nationally when we were awarded Campaign of the Year at The Energy Awards 2026, which reflected the quality of our consultation and engagement work. For us, biodiversity and landscape measures need to deliver benefits that people can see and understand. That means creating more diverse and connected habitats for pollinators, birds and other wildlife, managing water more effectively, enabling continued agricultural use and using trees, hedgerows and woodland to reduce views of the energy infrastructure. The decision gives us a clear framework to move forward, and we will continue working with local communities, councils, landowners and our specialist partners as we prepare for delivery.”
Elements Green’s NG+ community benefit programme is planned to provide around £1 million every year. More than £150,000 has already been distributed through smaller local projects, pre-existing flood mapping and EG Academy activity. More than 430 EG Academy courses have been completed.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027, subject to the discharge of relevant requirements and final delivery arrangements. The planned construction period is approximately 24 months, with first electricity export modelled from 2028.
Around 180 full-time equivalent jobs are expected during the construction phase, associated with approximately £10.4 million of GVA. During operation, GNR is expected to support 48 full-time equivalent jobs, with further local employment supported through the wider supply chain.
Elements Green will now work through the requirements of the consent and progress detailed delivery planning ahead of the anticipated start of construction in 2027.
For additional information:
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