RWE Wins Consent for Byers Gill 180 MW Solar and Battery Storage Project in North East England

RWE Wins Consent for Byers Gill 180 MW Solar and Battery Storage Project in North East England

(IN BRIEF) RWE has obtained NSIP approval for the 180 MW (AC) Byers Gill Solar Farm and its equal‑sized battery storage installation near Stockton and Darlington, pending a final investment decision. The co‑located project will store solar energy for dispatch during peak periods, enhancing UK energy security and supplying enough clean power for over 70,000 homes annually. Adam Swarbrick of RWE UK highlighted the project’s significance as the largest solar‑plus‑storage scheme to navigate NSIP scrutiny. Alongside Byers Gill, RWE is constructing 11 more solar farms and recently commissioned its first UK solar array at Langford, totaling 577 MW of generation and 105 MW of storage in its current portfolio.

(PRESS RELEASE) SWINDON, 24-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE, the UK’s foremost power generator, has secured planning consent for its Byers Gill Solar Farm, situated between Stockton and Darlington in the North East of England. Approved under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) regime due to its capacity exceeding 50 MW, the development—pending a final investment decision—will feature a 180 MW (AC) solar array alongside a co‑located 180 MW (AC) battery energy storage system. This integrated setup will allow RWE to capture solar output and dispatch it during peak demand, bolstering Britain’s energy security.

Once operational, Byers Gill is projected to supply enough low‑carbon electricity to meet the average annual consumption of more than 70,000 UK homes. Beyond generating clean power, the project promises to deliver economic opportunities, environmental enhancements, and community benefits locally—preserving agricultural activities, creating new wildlife habitats, and driving significant biodiversity improvements.

“This consent is a milestone for RWE’s UK pipeline, reinforcing our commitment to solar and storage solutions that underpin national energy resilience,” commented Adam Swarbrick, Head of Solar and Storage, RWE UK. “As our largest co‑located solar and battery project to clear the NSIP process, Byers Gill showcases our teams’ expertise. We now turn our attention to securing internal investment approval.”

In parallel with Byers Gill, RWE is advancing 11 other UK solar sites currently under construction and recently energized its inaugural UK array at Langford. Collectively, RWE’s operational and in‑build solar projects deliver 577 MW (AC) of generation capacity and 105 MW (AC) of paired battery storage.

For further enquiries:

Mark Fleming
Media Relations
RWE Renewables Europe and Australia
M +44 (0)7825 608096
E mark.fleming@rwe.com

RWE
RWE is leading the way to a modern energy world. With its investment and growth strategy, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, in particular in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. Thanks to its integrated portfolio of renewables, battery storage and flexible generation, as well as its broad project pipeline of possible new builds, RWE is well positioned to address the growing global demand for electricity, particularly driven by further electrification and artificial intelligence. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The personal data processed in connection with the press releases will be processed in compliance with the legal data protection requirements. If you are not interested in continuing to receive the press release, please inform us at communications@rwe.com. Your data will then be deleted and you will not receive any further press releases from us in this regard. If you have any questions about our data protection policy or the exercise of your rights under the GDPR, please contact ukdataprotectionrwe@rwe.com.

SOURCE: RWE