Orsted has announced plans for the 320MW Kingfisher solar project in northern England, with the company inviting local residents to provide feedback during an early consultation period set to take place from February 3 to March 9, 2025.
The proposed solar farm will be located three miles north of Beverley, in the East Riding area of Yorkshire, and is expected to generate clean energy for up to 60 years if granted consent. The Kingfisher solar project, part of Orsted's broader renewable energy strategy, is aimed at providing green energy to approximately 100,000 households, contributing to the UK's net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.
Randall Linfoot, Orsted's programme manager for Kingfisher, highlighted the project's potential impact, stating: “Kingfisher Solar Farm will provide green energy for around 100,000 British households, making a significant contribution toward meeting the country's ambitious plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
In addition to its environmental benefits, Orsted plans to deliver tangible advantages for the local community. Linfoot added: “We will also be delivering real benefits for the communities we are working in if the project is approved, including increasing wildlife and habitat areas around our solar array, and having a community benefit fund that will deliver lasting, tangible benefits for local people.
Orsted also aims to invest in local initiatives and engage small and medium-sized businesses in the area to integrate them into the project's supply chain. The solar farm will connect to the national grid via an underground cable route that follows the same path as the government-approved Hornsea 4 Offshore Wind Farm, another Orsted-developed project.
If approved, Kingfisher is projected to be operational by the end of 2030. Orsted's consultation period will allow residents to engage with the project team and provide feedback before the company submits its formal application.
