UK-based renewables developer Ridge Clean Energy (RCE) has announced plans to develop a 25.2-megawatt (MW) onshore wind farm in East Yorkshire, co-located with an approved solar and battery storage facility to form a hybrid renewable energy park.
The proposed Three Oaks Renewable Energy Park Extension, located between Thornholme and Haisthorpe in the East Riding of Yorkshire, would generate enough electricity to power over 24,000 homes annually, according to RCE. The development follows the recent lifting of planning restrictions on onshore wind projects in England and is among the first new wind proposals to move forward under the updated policy framework.
“We have greatly enjoyed working with the communities of Burton Agnes and Thornholme, and by adding turbines to the already-consented solar project, we know we can do so much more locally,” said RCE Chief Executive Marjorie Glasgow. “This extension represents a meaningful step toward carbon reduction and ensures that the local community is well-placed to claim the long-term benefits of the energy transition.”
Subject to planning approval, the wind farm could be operational before 2030. RCE said the integration of wind, solar, and storage aligns with the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which seeks to increase domestic energy production, reduce costs, and make more efficient use of existing grid infrastructure.
If approved, the project would include a £126,000 annual community benefit fund, totalling more than £5 million over 40 years. The majority of this support would be delivered through local electricity bill discounts, with households nearest to the site expected to receive more than £1,000 annually.
“From the earliest stages of project development for the consented Three Oaks Renewable Energy Park, we have worked with landowners, local experts and the community to shape a scheme that reflects local priorities and answers local needs,” said project manager Richard Barker.
The announcement was welcomed by industry group RenewableUK, which has been advocating for the easing of planning barriers for onshore wind.
This announcement is hugely welcome and exactly what the industry needs,” said James Robottom, head of onshore wind at RenewableUK. “It is really positive to see wind able to be part of an energy park project making the most efficient use of our land and resource.
A formal planning application for the extension is expected to be submitted following further community consultation.
