Home
Welcome to the Helios Renewable Energy Project
The Helios Renewable Energy Project (HREP) proposals comprise a solar farm, alongside a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
The scheme would deliver renewable electricity, which will assist in tackling the climate emergency and to help the UK Government in meeting its target for net zero emissions by 2050. The proposals also represent a significant opportunity to reduce the UK’s reliance on foreign energy supplies.
The proposed site is located to the west of the village of Camblesforth and to the north of the village of Hirst Courtney in North Yorkshire. The development is situated within the administrative area of North Yorkshire Council (formerly Selby District Council).
Application Accepted for Examination
Latest Update: The Planning Inspectorate officially accepted the development consent application for the Helios Renewable Energy Project for a solar farm and battery energy storage system in North Yorkshire. The project will now proceed to the Pre-Examination and Examination phases.
Given the project’s scope, it is being reviewed under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime. The Planning Inspectorate will thoroughly examine the plans and, following a public examination process that includes dedicated hearings, will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on whether to approve or refuse the application. The Secretary of State will then issue the final decision.
With the application now accepted, all related documents are available to the public on the Planning Inspectorate’s website. Members of the public interested in participating in the Examination process can register their interest through the Planning Inspectorate’s website at the link below: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010140
The deadline for representations to be made is 30 September 2024.
Consultation Events
We held consultation events on the following dates:
Camblesforth Hall, Brigg Lane, Camblesforth, Selby, YO8 8HJ
- Wednesday 8th November 2023
- 2pm to 7pm
Carlton Village Hall, Church Lane, Carlton, DN14 9PB
- Thursday 9th November 2023
- 12pm to 5:30pm
If you were unable to make it along, you can still view all of the materials displayed on our virtual consultation room.
The Planning Process
Due to the nature of the proposed Project, an application to the Planning Inspectorate will be submitted under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime (Planning Act 2008) in 2023.
NSIPs are major infrastructure projects such as new harbours, roads, power generating stations (such as larger scale solar farms) and electricity transmission lines, which require a type of consent known as ‘development consent’ under procedures governed by the Planning Act 2008. Development consent, where granted, is made in the form of a Development Consent Order (DCO).
Anybody wishing to construct an NSIP must first apply for consent to do so. For such a project, the Planning Inspectorate examines the application and will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who will make the decision on whether to grant or to refuse development consent.
Site location
The site is located south-west of Camblesforth, which lies southeast of Selby, and to the west of Drax Power Station. The southern parts of the site lie to the north of the village of Hirst Courtney.
The site is proposed to connect to the National Grid at Drax Power Station, with a short cable route corridor running south of Camblesforth. The development is situated within the administrative area of North Yorkshire Council.
The Consultation Process
We have undertaken a two-phase consultation exercise prior to submitting an application to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This has included informal local public consultation during July 2022, as well as a second round of consultation as part of a statutory consultation period which took place between October and December 2023.
Further details about how to keep in touch with the project can be found on this website, and are set out in the published Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC). We welcome any ongoing questions or suggestions you may have regarding our proposals so please feel free to get in touch either by email or by post.
About Enso Energy
This project is being brought forward by Enso Green Holdings D Limited. Enso Green Holdings D Limited is a joint-venture partnership between Enso Energy and Cero Generation. Enso Energy is one of the UK’s most experienced renewable energy developers, with an unparalleled focus on solar energy. Cero Generation is a leading solar energy company, working across Europe to support the transition to a net-zero future.
