The Tillbridge Solar Project is a major renewable energy development in Lincolnshire, UK, has been approved for a Development Consent Order (DCO) and is set to become one of the largest solar farms in the country. Developed as a joint venture between Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy, the project has a connection capacity of up to 500 megawatts (MW) and is designed to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 300,000 homes. Classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), the site spans around 1,400 hectares, with plans to use approximately 900 hectares for the solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and associated energy storage facilities. The project aims to make a significant contribution to the UK’s net-zero targets and energy security, connecting to the National Grid at the Cottam substation by 2028. Though the approval has faced opposition from some local communities over the use of agricultural land and visual impact, more keep getting consent like the Helios solar and storage project in North Yorkshire.
The Barrow EnergyDock Solar Project, in contrast, represents a pioneering application of floating solar technology, with plans to install the UK’s largest floating solar farm in Cavendish Dock at the Port of Barrow. This project, put forward by Associated British Ports (ABP), is expected to have a generating capacity of up to 40 MWp, using approximately 47,000 solar panels mounted on floating pontoons anchored to the dock floor. It is a key part of the Port of Barrow’s Masterplan, with the energy primarily intended to support the advanced engineering and manufacturing sector in the area, helping to stabilize electricity costs while preserving valuable port land for operational uses.
Reported on October 22, 2025
Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy have been granted planning approval for the 500MW Tillbridge Solar Project. This upcoming solar farm project is located in England.
The UK government issued a green light on a Development Consent Order application for the ground-mounted scheme. This scheme is located in Lincolnshire. Furthermore, the solar array is due to be constructed 5km east of Gainsborough in West Lindsey.
A Battery Storage System to be Installed
Also, a battery energy storage system is also planned for co-location. The site is expected to be linked to the grid at the Cottam substation in Nottinghamshir. This linking will be done via underground cables.
Additionally, the project began making progress towards its development when the UK Planning Inspectorate accepted Tillbridge’s DCO application for examination in May 2024. Also, it recommended the approval following its review.
According to the Energy department DESNZ, the DCO award marks the 17th nationally significant clean energy project approved by the government since it came into office last summer.
UK energy minister Michael Shanks said: “Families across Lincolnshire and the rest of the country have seen their energy bills go through the roof. This is as a result of our exposure to volatile gas prices.
“Solar is one of the cheapest and quickest power sources we can build, it is crucial in our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower – giving us energy security, good jobs and growth across the country.”
Solar Energy A Solution to UK’s Power Demands
Additionally, Trade association Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett added, “We all need cheaper power. It is quite clear that solar farms are the cheapest source of electricity in the UK.
“The larger they are, the more they benefit from economies of scale. Critically, they produce home-grown clean energy, displacing expensive and polluting natural gas from the grid.
“The area needed to deliver the UK’s solar aspirations over the coming years is a tiny fraction of agricultural land that will have no meaningful impact on food production.
“Indeed, solar farms are helping to keep farmers growing food by delivering a stable and reliable income, protected from the vagaries of market conditions and adverse weather.”
Similar Projects
Lastly, UK is gearing up its green energy sector with the development of massive solar projects. Another project that is similar in scale to the Tillbridge Solar Project is the Cottam Solar Project. These solar projects are expected to meet the high demand of power in UK and help reduce the cost of electricity among power consumers. This aligns with the country’s broader industrial resurgence, reflected in initiatives like JCB’s £100 million investment for its UK manufacturing hub in Staffordshire.
Factsheet
Project name: Tillbridge Solar Project
Location: near Gainsborough, in West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England.
Developer: Tillbridge Solar Limited (a joint venture between Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy – a Canadian Solar company).
Capacity: Anticipated generation capacity in excess of 50MW.
Components: Ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, with associated infrastructure including energy storage (Battery Energy Storage Systems – BESS) and grid connection infrastructure.
