A solar farm will be developed next to Donington Park services, located off junction 23A of the M1, to support the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The 6.36-hectare site will generate 7.15 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 42 new EV charging bays at the service station.
The project, approved by North West Leicestershire District Council, addresses the increasing demand for charging stations as the UK transitions to electric transport. The new solar farm will help meet the broader goal of providing more charging points across key transport routes, with the service station operator aiming to roll out 4,000 new chargers by 2030.
Local ecologists initially opposed the development, concerned about its impact on a nearby wildlife area. However, the plans were revised to include comprehensive measures for environmental protection, which led to a shift in support. The site is expected to operate for 40 years, after which it will be restored to its previous agricultural condition.
This project is part of a broader initiative to improve the availability and reliability of EV charging infrastructure, particularly for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), which will require increased energy provision as they shift to electric power.
