Around 460 jobs could be generated if plans for a new solar park in Nottinghamshire receive approval.
The proposed Great North Road Solar Park, located near Newark, aims to produce enough clean energy to power every home in the county.
According to developer Elements Green, the construction phase would create around 400 jobs, with an additional 60 permanent positions once the park becomes operational.
If approved, the project would involve installing around 1.5 million solar panels to generate cleaner energy, contributing to the UK Government’s Solar PV target of 70GW by 2050.
The NG+ scheme, a community support scheme linked to the proposed Great North Road Solar Park, would provide around £1m per year in grant funding to the local community, supporting projects focused on education, food security, energy efficiency, wellbeing and the environment.
Mark Noone, head of UK development, said: “The benefits of the Great North Road Solar Park aren’t just limited to cheaper bills and greener energy. There will be hundreds of secure well-paid jobs created during construction and the project’s legacy would include scores of skilled positions once the site is operational. Over half of those will be engineering roles, but there will also be a need for admin and support staff, and there will be plenty of chances for these roles to be filled locally.
“Whilst the Great North Road Solar Park is still a proposal, the benefits it could bring to this area – be it jobs, community funding and cleaner energy – are huge. And this all signals our intent to make a permanent and positive economic difference to the area through Great North Road Solar Park.”