Sunnica Energy Farm development consent decision announced
The Sunnica Energy Farm application has been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Sunnica Energy Farm
The project proposes the installation of solar photovoltaic generating panels and electrical battery storage technology on Sunnica East and Sunnica West, and associated infrastructure for connection to the national grid, including an extension to the Burwell National Grid Substation. The Scheme would allow for the delivery of over 50 megawatts of renewable energy.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Sunnica Limited on 18 November 2021 and accepted for Examination on 16 December 2021.
Following an Examination during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 28 June 2023.
This is the 82nd energy application out of 139 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.
Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other Interested Parties were able to participate in this six-month Examination.
The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.
The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project page of the Find a National Infrastructure Project website.
Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email: