Project: Windsock Solar & BESS Farm
Introduction
Windsock Solar & BESS Farm is planned to be 200MW Solar and 100MW Battery Energy Storage Scheme.
Status
In Progress
Size
200MW
About the project
- Windsock Solar & BESS Farm will comprise solar panels with a build-out size of around 200MW of solar power. The project will also include a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of around 100MW on the same site.
- Approximately 366,000 solar panels will be sensitively spread across the site. They will sit around 3 metres off the ground, facing south at an angle of up to 20°.
- The project will generate enough energy to power over 60,000 homes per year. The development will supply power directly into the grid via an underground cable to a nearby proposed substation.
- A community benefit package will be available for locals to spend according to their own priorities throughout the lifespan of the project.
- As Windsock Solar Farm capacity exceeds 50MW, it is deemed ‘nationally significant’. A Development Consent Order will be required and approval from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
- Windsock Solar Farm is developed by BLC Energy and owned by TRIO Power Limited. TRIO is backed by the Octopus Renewable Infrastructure Trust (ORIT), a fund managed by Octopus Energy Generation (OEGEN). OEGEN is one of the largest renewable energy investors in Europe, managing more than 230 large-scale green energy projects with a combined capacity of 3.25 GW.
Community benefit
Windsock Solar Farm will generate an annual community benefit fund worth £500 for every megawatt (MW) of solar export capacity on site, equating to £100k per annum for 40 years, totalling at least £4 million over the lifetime of the project, index-linked. We would work closely with the Parish Council to establish how the community local to the project wish to manage this benefit fund. BLC Energy and ORIT would like to split the benefit into 2 funds. One to support local projects, one to be allocated to local households for a local energy discount scheme.
Public engagement
BLC Energy are committed to maintaining open communication channels with local communities, councils, and other stakeholders. This will be to discuss the project's development and the use of the community benefit fund.
- The first public exhibition will take place in October 2026, at Cranwell Village Hall, Cranwell (TBC). An online presentation will be held a few days later to allow members of the public who could not attend the in-person event the chance to ask questions. These events will be to introduce the proposed project, explain the environmental surveys to be carried out and start to get feedback, directly, from members of the community.
- The second public exhibition will take place in the same location to show the results of the environmental surveys and the updated layout plans. An online presentation will take place in the evening after the second public exhibition.
- If you would like to ask any further questions, please email us using the contact information below.
Project timeline
Environmental studies on Ecology & birds started.
First layout plan and 1st Public Exhibition.
Final layout plan and 2nd Public Exhibition.
Submission of DCO third quarter 2027.
Construction start and expected grid connection date.
Project News
Below is a link to the slide deck for the project introduction and presentation to Cranwell, Brauncewell & Byard’s Leap Parish Council on 3/8/26. The agenda includes:Who We Are Project Team Location The Read more...
Project Images
Exhibition Material
Available soon.
Application Documents
Available soon.
Media Enquiries
Please contact Sarah McDaid at McDaid Public Relations - 07866 789688 | sarah@mcdaidpr.co.uk