MP warns against 'carpeting' area with solar farms

An MP who said Norfolk could be "the Texas of green energy" said he was "shocked" at proposals for another large solar farm in his constituency.

Energy firm Aukera has revealed plans for the Tasway Energy Park, near Long Stratton, which it said could provide power for up to 200,000 homes.

"If you carpet the entire southern half of south Norfolk, that's unfair on residents," argued Labour's Ben Goldsborough.

On a website detailing its proposals, Aukera said it "wishes to engage with the community and residents early to begin to enhance opportunities the project could bring".

Pending planning permission, it hoped to begin building in five years' time.

With its flat terrain and available land, Norfolk is seen as an ideal place for solar farms and a number of the largest in the UK have been proposed for the county.

The government has said such schemes are necessary to reduce energy bills, cut carbon emissions and provide better energy security.

However, critics have warned against the loss of agricultural land and the impact on the look of the countryside.

Several major energy projects are planned for south Norfolk, including the 2,700 acre East Pye solar farm, another solar site at Gissing and a large battery energy storage site at Rushall.

There are also plans for a 114 mile-long (184km) stretch of pylons which would run through the Long Stratton area between Norwich and Tilbury, Essex.

Goldsborough, who has backed the East Pye development, said news of the 700 MW Tasway project was "shocking".

He has previously compared the potential benefits of green energy in south Norfolk to the boom Texas underwent after oil was discovered there, but warned too many projects were now being proposed for his constituency:

"I want to see Norfolk being at the forefront of offshore wind, onshore wind in some areas, and solar... but that needs to be spread out across the whole county, and that, as it stands, isn't happening."

The MP said he only found out about Tasway when a resident contacted him, but he would be meeting with the company.

Aukera said no final design had been confirmed and it was in the "early stages of development".

"The site has been identified following careful consideration of a range of factors, including land availability, access to grid infrastructure, and environmental and technical constraints," it said in a statement.

"Norfolk receives high levels of daylight year-round, making it well-suited for reliable solar energy generation. We recognise the agricultural value of the land and are committed to designing a scheme that enables both food production and clean energy.

"The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has highlighted that the UK's agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, especially as shifting weather patterns, extreme temperatures, and variable rainfall increasingly disrupt growing conditions.

"In this context, solar farms can provide landowners with a reliable income stream, helping to sustain rural livelihoods. They also create opportunities for land to rest and recover, improving soil health over time.

"With careful management, they can enhance local biodiversity and support surrounding farmland—benefiting both nature and agriculture.

"We are at the beginning of this process and are committed to engaging openly and meaningfully with the local community, elected representatives, parish councils, and other key stakeholders."

The government, which wants 95% of energy generated in the UK by 2030 to be "clean", will have final say on the project.

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