MPs, Experts, and Campaigners Gather in Parliament to Push for Community-Led Solar Energy

Roz Savage MP brought together MPs, campaigners, and industry experts in Parliament on Monday 10th March for an event on Solar Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), sparking a vital cross-party conversation on the future of large-scale solar farms.   

The event highlighted growing concerns about foreign-owned developments and the need to prioritise community-led renewable energy. MPs attended from both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives. 

The discussion kicked off with a presentation from SolarQ UK, delivered by David Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Ecology at the University of Oxford. His analysis - described as the most detailed and comprehensive study of UK solar energy to date - set out the case for rethinking the country’s approach to large-scale solar farms and exploring more effective alternatives, better suited to the UK climate, such as wind turbines. 

Campaigners shared their experiences of engaging with local communities on solar proposals, shedding light on the challenges they face when vast, foreign-owned solar projects are planned for installation on prime agricultural land. MPs explored ways to take this debate forward in Parliament, looking at opportunities to push for a shift towards smaller, locally owned renewable energy projects that directly benefit communities. 

Some of the key outcomes of the event include, but are not limited to, cross-party discussion between multiple MPs on the issue of large-scale solar, a common consensus that local communities need to be involved in proposals for such solar parks, a successful question and answer session between MPs, campaign groups and SolarQ and plenty of information on the topic being presented to MPs and campaign groups. 

The event wrapped up with a lively networking session, where attendees exchanged ideas on how to build momentum for a more sustainable and community-focused solar strategy. 

Roz Savage MP commented on the event:  

"The UK’s transition to renewable energy must put communities at its heart. While we absolutely support the transition away from fossil fuels and fully endorse the drive towards more UK-generated power, we cannot allow vast, foreign-owned developments to override local voices and take up prime agricultural land. This event brought together MPs to explore how we work together - across party lines and with communities - to push for a fairer, more sustainable approach that keeps the benefits of renewable energy local. This is just the start of a crucial conversation, and I’m excited to see where we take it next." 

SolarQ UK (David Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Ecology, University of Oxford):  

“SolarQ’s analysis reveals that ground-mounted solar installations will cover more than seven times more land than the widely quoted solar industry estimate. Despite there being three times more lower-quality farmland than high-quality, solar farms are occupying twenty times more high-quality land - land that is vital for food production. This expansion has occurred without a national spatial strategy to guide solar development, raising serious concerns about the long-term balance between renewable energy and food security.” 

Quote from Phil Moore, from a South Cotswolds campaigning group, Stop Lime Down:  

“I was delighted to see MPs joined by community groups representing around 200 villages from across England at Monday's event. These campaigners aren’t climate change deniers - they are passionate, dedicated volunteers who care deeply about the irreversible damage that would be done to our rural economy and our countryside if new solar super schemes are given the go-ahead on farmland. 

“We were especially encouraged to hear some MPs at Monday's meeting agreeing that they would like to see a moratorium on the construction of large-scale ground-mounted solar installations on arable land until a full assessment of food security risks has been conducted.’’ 

With strong engagement from MPs and campaigners, the event marked a crucial step towards ensuring that the UK’s renewable energy future is both ambitious and fair - delivering clean power while putting communities at the heart of the transition.  

END 

Notes to Editors:  

• More information about SolarQ UK can be found here.
• A report on the Lime Down Solar proposal can be found here.