Anesco proposes 48-acre Maryport solar farm

Plans for a scheme spanning an area the size of more than 20 football pitches have been put to Cumberland Council.

Anesco, a renewable energy firm, wants to build the 13MW solar project on two plots totalling 48 acres of farmland at Balnakeil Forge in Maryport.

The solar farm, comprising 20,608 ground mounted modules, would have a lifespan of 40 years.

PWA Planning is advising on the project. A planning statement prepared by the consultancy states that the project “is in accordance with the UK government’s aim to move towards a low carbon economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions”

The government has pledged to be a net zero nation by 2050.

To learn more, search for reference number FUL/2025/0080 on Cumberland Council’s planning portal.

Cumbria is an area of focus for the government when it comes to renewable energy. This week, as part of the spending review, it was announced that 600 acres neighbouring Sellafield would be made available for redevelopment into clean energy projects.