The Project

Project overview

​Humberhead Solar would provide approximately 500 megawatts of clean, renewable energy, as well as battery storage facilities capable of storing electricity until it is needed, so that the UK can benefit from solar power, even beyond dusk and before dawn.​

​A project of this scale is expected to power approximately 115,000 homes, strengthening the resilience of the national energy system and increasing the supply of secure domestic power. ​​

The operational life for Humberhead Solar will be up to 60 years. Land under and around the solar panels will be managed as grassland suitable for grazing. At the end of the project’s operational life, there will be a decommissioning plan. This will detail the removal of infrastructure and restoration of the land to its original use.​

Humberhead Solar will deliver significant ecological benefits through habitat creation and enhancement measures, along with good land management through operation.​

​As the proposals would have a generating capacity over 100MW, they are therefore defined as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008. This requires an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and determined by the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

Key numbers

Minimalist line drawing of a sun with a central circle and eight triangular rays around it, in olive green.

500 MW

Generating solar capacity

Battery with a lightning bolt symbol indicating low power or charging

500 MW

         BESS Capacity       

Minimalist line drawing of a rural landscape with a winding path, trees, a small house, and a bird flying in the sky.
A circular arrow with sparkles inside, indicating a clean lifecycle.

115,000 

Homes powered          

Up to 60   

years operational life           

The site

Humberhead Solar is proposed to be located on a number of sites in an area approximately 3km to the south-west of Market Weighton and 1km to the south-east of Pocklington.​

​The Sites are known as Sites 1, 2, 3 and 4 and each comprises a series of sub-sites. The Point of Connection for the project is at the existing National Grid Thornton Substation located approximately 1.36km to the south-west of the nearest site (Site 1).​

​The Sites comprise a total of approximately 1,565 ha (3,867 acres) of land. However, this will also include land set aside for landscaping and biodiversity mitigation and enhancement, local connectivity and access.​

​The Sites will be linked to each other and to the Thornton Substation via underground cables within a ‘Cable Route Corridor’. We will refine the precise alignment of the underground cables through environmental assessments, landowner negotiations and your consultation input. The Cable Route Corridor will therefore become significantly smaller as the project progresses.

Project Timeline

Below we have outlined some of the key milestones for the project. Please note this timeline is indicative only and is subject to change.

March – April 2026

Early engagement starts with Council, local representatives, landowners, near neighbours

May – June 2026

Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping

November – December 2026

Public Consultation

January – February 2027

Analysis of consultation responses

March – July 2027

Preparation of DCO application

August 2027

Submission of DCO application