Britain breaks solar energy record twice as Lincolnshire solar farm gets approval

Solar generation in Britain hit new highs of 14.1GW and 14.4GW on consecutive days, and the government approved the Springwell solar farm in Lincolnshire, projected to supply the equivalent of about 180,000 homes at peak.

Britain's electricity grid set new solar power records on two consecutive days this week. On Monday solar farms across England, Wales and Scotland produced 14.1GW at lunchtime. A day later output climbed to 14.4GW, creating a new peak. The record was announced as the government approved the Springwell solar farm in Lincolnshire. Key facts: - Solar farms in England, Wales and Scotland generated 14.1GW at lunchtime on Monday. - The record was surpassed the next day, when solar output reached 14.4GW on Tuesday afternoon. - The electricity system operator confirmed the new high. - The government approved the Springwell solar farm in Lincolnshire, which is expected to supply the equivalent of about 180,000 homes at maximum output. - This approval follows the Tillbridge project and is the 25th large-scale clean energy project approved since Labour took office in 2024; together these projects could generate the equivalent of up to 12.5 million homes. - Recent wind output also reached a record of around 23.9GW, at a time when gas-fired generation fell to about 2.3% of the grid. Summary: The back-to-back solar records illustrate rising contributions from solar and wind to the UK grid and sit alongside government approvals for large clean energy projects. The electricity system operator is reported to be preparing to run the grid without any gas for short periods as soon as this summer, and building standards have been updated to require solar panels on new homes from 2028.