The approval of Beacon Fen makes it the first solar DCO project to be consented under the newly appointed Secretary of State and underscores Low Carbon’s long-term ambition to deploy clean energy at scale
Leading renewable energy company, Low Carbon, has secured development consent for its Beacon Fen Energy Park in Lincolnshire, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of its solar and storage portfolio that will help support UK climate targets.
With an installed solar capacity of 400 MW and 600 MW of co-located battery storage once built, Beacon Fen Energy Park has the potential to generate enough clean electricity each year to power approximately 130,000 UK homes, while avoiding approximately 72,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Located on land to the east of Sleaford and north of Heckington, the proposed solar and battery storage park will connect to the grid via the Bicker Fen substation delivering homegrown, clean energy that will help to strengthen the UK’s energy security.
The decision makes Beacon Fen Energy Park the first large-scale solar project to be approved under the new Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh, underlining the project's importance to the government's ambitious targets for solar deployment.
As a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), the development required a Development Consent Order (DCO), which was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in April 2025. Since being accepted in May 2025, the application entered examination in September 2025, with development consent granted today, 21 August 2026.
Commenting on the decision, Managing Director of UK Development, Mike Rutgers, said:
'Securing development consent for Beacon Fen Energy Park is a landmark moment for Low Carbon. As one of the first major energy infrastructure decisions taken under the new Secretary of State, the approval sends a clear signal about the importance of accelerating homegrown, clean energy that can play a key role strengthening energy security and supporting economic growth.
'Projects like Beacon Fen will be central to delivering the UK's clean power ambitions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and creating a more resilient energy system. We are grateful to the communities and stakeholders who have engaged with us throughout the development process, and we look forward to continuing that engagement as we progress the project.'
Beacon Fen Energy Park is the latest renewable project in Low Carbon's UK portfolio to secure planning, as it continues to a play leading role in advancing projects that support the transition to a clean, secure energy system.
Source: Low Carbon
