Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 March to Question 37365 on Photovoltaics: Import Controls, what steps he is taking to monitor the Solar Stewardship Initiative.

The Government keeps its level of engagement with the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) under close review, maintaining regular contact with Solar Energy UK and Solar Power Europe, who jointly developed the scheme. We are following the results of the SSI’s first round of traceability audits. These are being analysed thoroughly to assess the extent to which the scheme enables and supports the Government’s goal of securing a resilient, sustainable and just solar supply chain that is free from forced labour.

Pursuant to the Answer 19 March 2025 to Question 37370 on Infrastructure, what the evidential basis is for his decision to raise the solar threshold for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects from 50MW to 100MW.

Last year, the Government held an 8-week consultation which included a proposal to increase the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects threshold for solar. Consultation responses, sector engagement, and internal analysis contributed to the decision to increase the threshold to 100 megawatts. Evidence suggests the current threshold is no longer reflective of improvements in panel efficiency, with contemporary solar projects covering less area per megawatt yield. Increasing the threshold ensures mid-sized projects have access to a more proportionate planning route, while also addressing the market distortion of projects capped at 49.9 megawatts, allowing sites and grid connections to be used more efficiently.

How many solar farms have been approved as nationally significant infrastructure projects by (a) size in acres and (b) capacity in megawatts in each year since 2008.

Nine nationally significant solar farms have been consented since 2008: Project(a) Approximate size in acres(b) Approximate megawatt capacityYear consentedCleve Hill Solar Park1213.29300 – 4002020Little Crow Solar Park558.461502022Longfield Solar Farm1119.395002023Gate Burton Energy Park1690.205002024Mallard Pass Solar Project2105.343502024Sunnica2424.105002024Cottam Solar Project2841.716002024Heckington Fen Solar Park1448.045002025West Burton Solar Project2190.344802025

What percentage of the capacity of the Eaton Socon sub-station will be used by the proposed new town at Tempsford.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to him on 3 March to Question UIN 35005.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of how agricultural land classification is assessed in energy infrastructure project decisions.

Both the National Planning Policy Framework and National Policy Statements were updated in 2024. They make clear that energy infrastructure should always be located in areas of poorer quality land rather that higher quality land where possible. At the end of September 2024, ground-mount solar PV panels only covered around 0.1 per cent of the total land area of the UK.

What the (a) average and (b) maximum megawatt capacity of a solar energy infrastructure project was in (i) 2008 and (ii) 2024.

No new operational solar photovoltaic installations above 50kW were recorded in 2008. In 2024, new solar installations (excluding those below 50kW) had an average capacity of 15.4MW. The largest was 67MW.

What the (a) average and (b) maximum megawatt capacity was of a wind energy infrastructure project in (i) 2008 and (ii) 2024.

For the 22 onshore wind projects completed in 2008, the largest capacity was 68 MW and the average capacity was 20 MW. Both of the offshore wind projects completed in 2008 had a capacity of 97 MW. For the 17 onshore wind projects completed in 2024, the largest capacity was 443 MW and the average capacity was 48 MW. For the 2 offshore wind projects completed in 2024, the largest capacity was 882 MW and the average capacity was 665 MW. Large wind projects may be installed in phases over several years.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2025 to Question 35004 on Solar Power: Electricity Generation, when his Department announced its plan to bring forward legislative proposals to increase the threshold for solar projects determined under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project planning regime from 50MW to 100MW.

The Government’s intention to increase the threshold above which solar projects must be determined under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime was announced in its response to an 8-week consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. This was published on 12 December 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 35839 on Infrastructure: Land, what is the maximum permissible quantity of best and most versatile land allowed for an energy development classed as a nationally significant infrastructure project.

National Policy Statement EN-1 and EN-3 set out the policy for the consideration of the use of best and most versatile land for energy development, but state that “applicants should, where possible, utilise previously developed land, brownfield land, contaminated land and industrial land. Where the proposed use of any agricultural land has been shown to be necessary, poorer quality land should be preferred to higher quality land (avoiding the use of “Best and Most Versatile” agricultural land where possible). The decision as to whether the amount of best and most versatile land to be used is appropriate is one for the Secretary of State in the consideration of individual planning applications."

How many land transactions for nationally significant projects were via compulsory purchase order since 4 July 2024.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero does not hold statistics on whether land has been acquired via compulsory acquisition.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 35839 on Infrastructure: Land, what is the largest quantity of best and most versatile land used for a nationally significant energy development infrastructure project that has been consented.

Further detail on individual projects can be found on PINS.https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/planning-inspectorate

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of banning the (a) import and (b) use of Chinese photovoltaic panels manufactured using forced Labour.

The Government is determined to eradicate forced labour in global supply chains, including in the manufacture of solar panels. Legislation and guidance are already in place to help businesses take action against modern slavery. However, we are working across government to see where we can go further, keeping all potential policy options under review. We are monitoring closely the industry-led supply chain assurance scheme, the Solar Stewardship Initiative. Further information on the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient and free from forced labour will be set out in the Solar Roadmap, to be published in Spring 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of raising the threshold to qualify as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project in line with technological progress.

The Government has now introduced legislation to re-introduce onshore wind into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime for projects over 100MW and raise the existing solar threshold from 50MW to 100MW. This ensures onshore wind projects are treated in the same way and can access the same planning regimes as other types of critical energy infrastructure, such as offshore wind or nuclear power stations. Setting 100MW thresholds for onshore wind and solar also reflects their technological advancements, ensuring that only the largest and most nationally significant projects enter the NSIP regime.

How many approved nationally significant infrastructure projects use greater than (a) 50%, (b) 60%, (c) 70% and (d) 80% of best and most versatile land.

In respect of energy developments, no nationally significant infrastructure projects have been consented which will use greater than 50% best and most versatile agricultural land.

What estimate his Department has made of the obsolescence date of the current generation of photovoltaic panels.

The lifespan of a solar panel can vary depending on environmental factors and standards of maintenance. Typically, the panels have a guaranteed lifespan of 25 years, though many will continue to produce electricity reliably after that point. Decisions about the precise point at which it is no longer economical to maintain ageing panels are left to solar farm operators.

Whether planning approval for nationally significant infrastructure projects is dependent upon having a construction traffic management plan.

As per The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009, Regulations 5(2)(a), (k), and (o), all applicants seeking development consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects must include a plan identifying any new or altered means of access, stopping up of streets or roads or any diversions, extinguishments or creation of rights of way or public rights of navigation, means of vehicular and pedestrian access, and any car parking to be provided. It is not mandated that this must be called a ‘construction traffic management plan’ but these plans are often labelled as such.

What the remaining available capacity percentage is of the Eaton Socon sub-station in Cambridgeshire.

The Department does not hold this data, this would be for the Distribution Network Operator (DNO), UK Power Networks. UK Power Networks’ data portal [1] which is publicly available, provides information on all grid supply points, including Eaton Socon substation. [1] https://ukpowernetworks.opendatasoft.com/pages/nodd

What the process is for designating Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

The thresholds that designate a project as a nationally significant infrastructure project are set out in Planning Act 2008 and spelled out in more detail at the start of the overarching Energy National Policy Statement (EN-1). The thresholds for England are currently: if it does not generate electricity from wind and it is not an offshore generating station, its capacity must be more than 50 megawatts; and, if it is an offshore generating station, its capacity must be more than 100 megawatts. The thresholds for Wales are: if it does not generate electricity from wind, its capacity must be more than 350 megawatts; and, if it is in waters adjacent to Wales up to the seaward limits of the territorial sea, or in the Welsh zone, its capacity must be more than 350 megawatts.

What the minimum threshold of power generation is for a solar park to meet the standard required for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project designation.

For a solar park to be designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, the minimum threshold of power generation is currently 50 megawatts. Consent for a solar project under 50 megawatts is applied for under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. In 2024, the Government consulted on whether to raise this threshold and has announced its intention to legislate to increase the threshold for solar projects determined under the NSIP planning regime from 50MW to 100MW.

What his Department's planned timetable is for the publication of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

The Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) will be published by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) in 2026.