Sunnica Energy Farm

Details of proposals for Sunnica Energy Farm, a solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage project in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

Sunnica Ltd is bringing forward an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to construct Sunnica Energy Farm.

The scheme is defined as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), as an onshore generating station in England, exceeding 50MW.  

The application for a DCO will be made to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) with the final decision being made by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

West Suffolk Council are a Statutory Consultee and will assess evaluate and make representations on the application to PINS.

Sunnica Ltd carried out a statutory consultation on the proposal from 22 September 2020 to 18 December 2020.

West Suffolk Council responded to the consultation in conjunction with east Cambridgeshire District Council, Suffolk County Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.  The joint response is available to view on our website.

Sunnica Ltd is expected to submit the DCO application in 2021 with the examination stage to follow and a decision is expected in 2022.

Sunnica submitted its application to the Planning Inspectorate (PINs) in November 2021 and PINs accepted the application for examination in December 2021.  Prior to the commencement of the examination interested parties were invited to submit a Relevant Representation, which summarises what the party agrees and/or disagrees with within the application, what they consider the main issues to be and their impact.  West Suffolk Council submitted its Relevant Representation on 17 March 2022 and it is available to view here: GOV.UK - National Infrastructure Planning - Sunnica Energy Farm

Further information on the DCO application process and how to participate can be found on the National Infrastructure Planning website.