The UK government has granted planning permission for the 190-megawatt Helios solar farm in North Yorkshire, approving a Development Consent Order for the project backed by Enso Energy and Cero Generation, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said on Tuesday.
The approval follows an application submitted in July 2024 and an examination process conducted between December 2024 and June 2025. The proposed site lies between the villages of Camblesforth and Hirst Courtney and will include a co-located battery energy storage system. Electricity generated at the site will be routed via underground cable to the nearby Drax power station.
Planning inspectors recommended approval after completing their review earlier this year, according to DESNZ. The consent was issued by energy minister Martin McCluskey on behalf of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
“We are delighted to receive confirmation that this project has received Secretary of State approval,” said Enso Energy managing director Bill Rees. “It is an important project to deliver the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 targets and support the UK’s transition to home-grown renewable power.”
