The Scheme
Kingsway Solar is a proposed solar farm and overhead line connection to the national grid, located east of Cambridge, between Burwell and Balsham in Cambridgeshire.
The proposals consist of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and an approximately 15 km overhead line connection to National Grid’s proposed Burwell South substation, due to be located south of the existing Burwell substation (the exact location yet to be confirmed by National Grid).
The Scheme also includes associated infrastructure, including co-located battery energy storage systems (BESS) and inter-array connections to link together the land parcels where the solar panels are located.
The solar panels and associated BESS would be located within three land parcels (A, B, and C) over an area of approximately 1,246 hectares (ha) / 3,079 acres.
Interactive map
During our stage two consultation, we prepared an interactive map to allow you to view areas of interest to you. You can still view the interactive map, as presented during stage two consultation below.
You can switch layers on and off by using the tick boxes in the Legend and find out more about specific aspects of our proposals by clicking on the various icons around the map. You can also view the number of each proposed pylon – to inform your feedback – by clicking on them in the map.
To change the base map, select from one of the options shown in the button on the bottoms left corner.
Since the stage two consultation, we have been reviewing the feedback received and carrying out further surveys and assessments to help inform the Scheme design. As a result of these surveys and design refinements, together with the feedback received during stage two consultation, we have made some localised changes to the Scheme design. Details of these changes are set out in our targeted consultation information booklet, which can be found on the Documents page.
Why is Kingsway solar needed?
To achieve the UK government’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, projects such as Kingsway Solar are needed to help provide cleaner sources of energy. If approved, the Scheme would make a significant contribution to energy security in the UK, providing energy for up to 175,000 homes.
The energy transition will see older forms of generation phased out, such as fossil fuel power stations, and there is an urgent need for cleaner forms of generation to replace them. Solar farms such as Kingsway Solar will play a key role in meeting this need and accelerating the countries transition to net zero.
With the co-location of BESS, the Scheme will be able to provide ancillary services to help stabilise the local and national grid network. The addition of the BESS will also allow us to efficiently use the solar energy, storing surplus energy at points of low demand, releasing it when needed.