Canadian Solar, Windel Energy plans to jointly develop the 350 MW Mallard Pass solar project with energy storage

Mallard Pass Solar Farm Limited, a joint venture between Canadian Solar Inc and Windel Energy, has planned to develop the 350 MW Mallard Pass solar project with storage in England.

The proposed project will be installed on 880 hectares (2,175 acres) of land partly situated in South Kesteven and Lincolnshire, and partly in Rutland county. Once completed the Mallard Pass solar farm is expected to generate enough electricity to power 92,000 homes. Canadian Solar will be providing financing and secure power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the project, while Windel Energy will be in charge of developing the project through the ready-to-build stage. The Mallard Pass will be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

The non-statutory phase of community consultation runs from 4 November until 16 December 2021.

To gain permission to build and operate it, a Development Consent Order (DCO) application will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) after extensive consultation with stakeholders including local communities and District and County Councils. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will determine whether to grant consent for the proposal. 

Stage One consultation will be followed by further environmental assessment and design work ahead of a Stage Two consultation on more detailed proposals by 2022, before submitting the DCO applications at the end of 2022.