Frequently Asked Questions

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About Aukera

Who are Aukera?

Aukera is a renewable energy developer and owner operating across the UK and Europe. Aukera focuses on grid-scale solar, onshore wind, and battery storage projects and is involved in all stages of the project lifecycle, from development and construction to long-term operation.

We currently have 250MW of renewable energy infrastructure under construction in the UK and have plans for further development nationwide. Aukera also maintains an active development portfolio in Italy, Germany, and Romania.

We are committed to responsible development and meaningful engagement with local communities, reinvesting in new projects to support a sustainable and low carbon energy future.

Tasway Energy Park is being promoted by Aukera. The legal entity is Tasway Energy Park Ltd and is registered with Companies House (Company Number: 15040380).

The funding for planning, building, operating and decommissioning Tasway Energy Park will come from Aukera. It will not be funded by the taxpayer.  Aukera will look to bid for a Contract for Difference (CfD). The CfD scheme is designed to incentivise investment in renewable energy by providing developers with a degree of revenue stabilisation to protect from volatile wholesale prices, while also protecting consumers from paying increased support costs when electricity prices are high. 

Should Aukera be successful in a future bid, they would enter into a private contract with the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC). Aukera would be paid a flat indexed rate for the electricity they produce over a 15-year period. This flat rate is calculated by taking the cost of developing and investing in Tasway Energy Park (known as the ‘strike price’) and the average wholesale market price for electricity (known as the ‘reference price’).   This means that if energy bills suddenly spike (such as during an international crisis) consumers are protected against these costs.  Outside of this, Tasway Energy Park would not receive any form of government  financial support. 

The Project

Is Norfolk sunny enough for solar to work?

Yes. Norfolk receives ample daylight, making solar power a reliable energy source. Solar already contributes over 4% of the UK’s electricity annually and can provide up to 30% at peak times. Solar panels work in daylight, not just direct sunshine, so they generate energy even on cloudy days. Additionally, onsite battery storage enables the park to store excess energy during the day and release it at peak demand times, ensuring stable contribution to the grid. 

This location was selected based on considerations including land availability, environmental constraints, and proximity to grid infrastructure.

Solar panels on rooftops have a number of benefits for individual homes and businesses. The Government estimates that an average household would save £500 per year on energy bills by installing solar panels. The Government is also exploring ways for further deployment on rooftops, including financial support to individual households, businesses and local authorities and exploring how car park canopies can be utilised.

To meet the Government’s ambitions to hit 45-47 GW of solar generation by 2030, solar will need to be deployed at scale. Without a doubt placing more panels on rooftops will play a part in this but it is important to understand the facts on how much deploying panels on rooftops can actually contribute to the UK’s energy needs as a whole.

There are a number of reasons why rooftop solar cannot provide a solution to the UK’s energy needs as a whole, some of which are outlined below.

The availability of rooftops of any kind in the UK accounts for around 2% of land use. Not all of these sites would be available or optimal for solar generation. By contrast, just 0.22% additional land in the UK would be needed to generate a further 50 GW of electricity from utility scale solar farms. Utility scale solar developments benefit from being able to select sites and assemble land which are optimal for solar generation.

Rooftop solar creates millions of dispersed generation points, increasing complexity for grid balancing and voltage control, as well as delivering uncertain and inconsistent energy yields across different locations. By contrast, utility scale solar farms deliver a far more consistent and predictable energy yield and link into centralised substation locations

For residential rooftop systems, installations above 3.68 kW per phase require approval from the local Distribution Network Operator, creating an added layer of regulatory requirements and cost to individual households.

Roughly one-third of UK households rent their homes, creating major barriers to rooftop installation due to leaseholders and tenants facing unclear responsibilities for funding, benefiting from and maintaining rooftop systems.

Rooftop solar depends on individual owners for maintenance, with panels more prone to under performance from debris, shading, or neglect . By Contrast, utility scale solar developments benefit from industrial scale equipment which is maintained by professional operation and maintenance teams, which can also include sophisticated systems which monitor issues remotely.

BESS stands for Battery Energy Storage System, essentially a large rechargeable battery for the electricity grid. It stores excess solar-generated energy during daylight and releases it when needed (e.g., evenings or overcast periods when generation levels might be lower). BESS systems meet strict safety standards, are monitored 24/7, and incorporate multiple safety controls. Fire safety experts are consulted to ensure compliance.

The National Fire Chief Council (NFCC) published guidelines relating to BESS in 2022 which were subsequently included in the UK’s National Planning Policy Framework in 2023. While local Fire and Rescue Services are not statutory consultees in planning, Aukera will seek to engage with the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service at an early stage.

Typical safety systems which are used on BESS facilities, include:

  • Automated fire suppression systems which are designed to extinguish electrical fires within the enclosures.
  • In the event of a detected failure or a thermal runaway, the BESS can automatically disconnect the affected battery module to prevent the spread of fire.
  • Fire resistant barriers and containment systems will be installed to prevent the spread of fire between battery modules and to the surrounding environment.
  • Ventilation systems will also dissipate heat and gases.
  • Adequate spacing between individual battery units to prevent a fire in one BESS unit propagating to adjacent units.

Tasway Energy Park will be designed to generate up to 700 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable electricity, enough to power over 200,000 homes per year, based on 2022 generation data and average household consumption (3,240 kWh/year from January 2024 statistics).

Tasway Energy Park is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) as it will generate over 50 MW (the threshold for an NSIP is set to increase on 31st December 2025 from 50MW to 100MW). It therefore will require a Development Consent Order (DCO) under the 2008 Planning Act.  200The Planning Inspectorate will undertake an examination into Aukera’s application and provide a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who makes the final decision on whether to grant the DCO.

Construction is expected to begin in 2030, subject to receiving DCO approval. The construction period will span approximately 24 months.

No, the projects are not connected. However, Aukera acknowledges other nearby energy infrastructure proposals and are working with the developers of East Pye (IGP), Norwich to Tilbury (National Grid project), Long Stratton BESS, and Wacton Road BESS to assess cumulative impacts and explore collaborative benefits. 

Environment

Have you considered the impact on ecology and biodiversity?

Yes. Aukera is conducting detailed ecological and biodiversity surveys to understand local wildlife and habitats. Findings will guide design to protect and enhance biodiversity. Research from Solar Energy UK indicates that well-managed solar farms can support wildflowers, hedgerows, birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Aukera is liaising with local environmental organisations and statutory bodies to align with best practices.

When planning a project of this scale it is essential to understand how it may affect the environment. This is where the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) plays a central role.

An EIA examines potential effects on people, wildlife, land, air, water, and the wider environment. It ensures decision-makers, communities, and stakeholders have reliable information before the project moves forward.

The EIA process will also help define the most suitable land configuration for solar panels and infrastructure, as well as opportunities for mitigation and enhancements benefiting wildlife and communities.

An EIA is legally required for projects likely to have significant environmental effects due to their type or scale. Its purpose is to identify likely effects (positive and negative). Where negative effects are identified, it proposes measures to avoid, prevent, reduce, or offset them. This ensures that when the Secretary of State is considering  whether to grant consent for the DCO, environmental matters are considered alongside social, technical, and economic factors.

Aukera is undertaking a full EIA for Tasway Energy Park and the DCO application will be accompanied by an Environmental Statement and documentation outlining the project’s scope, benefits, adverse effects, and mitigation.

Key topic areas to be presented in the Environmental Statement will include:

  • Biodiversity, water resources and flood risk
  • Agricultural land and soils
  • Cultural heritage and archaeology
  • Landscape and visual
  • Traffic and transport
  • Air quality
  • Noise and vibration
  • Climate
  • Cumulative effects
  • Environmental mitigation

Further information on these topic areas and how surveys will be conducted on these can be found in our phase 1 consultation brochure.

Tasway Energy Park is being designed to minimise impacts on heritage assets. Aukera will engage with Historic England and local heritage  Consultees, and assessment findings will be incorporated into the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Yes. Initial site visits are being conducted to understand visual baselines and sensitive viewpoints. Assessments will inform design choices and mitigation measures like screening and strategic planting.

Day-to-day operations will generate some  noise from equipment like inverters, substations, and the BESS, but these will be sited away from homes where possible. Baseline noise levels will be recorded, and noise modelling will guide mitigation. Construction noise will be temporary and will adhere to standard working hours in consultation with Environmental Health Officers.

The government’s Independent National Food Strategy Review found that solar developments like Tasway Energy Park do not threaten the UK’s ability to produce food. In fact, the biggest long-term threat to food security is climate change. According to Defra, climate change could reduce the UK’s supply of high-quality agricultural land by up to 75% by 2050.

As solar farms temporarily remove land from intensive agriculture, they allow for long-term soil recovery and regeneration. When managed with biodiversity in mind, solar farms can enhance habitats for pollinating invertebrates, supporting surrounding farmland and strengthening local ecosystems.

By generating clean, low-carbon electricity and safeguarding high-quality agricultural land, solar farms  play a key role in supporting the UK’s food security—both now and for future generations   The EIA will consider how the Tasway Energy Park may affect soil quality across the site. It will look at the type of agricultural land present, including its classification, and any sensitive soils such as peat that play an important role in storing carbon.

Provisional Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) mapping published by Natural England shows the site is mainly Grade 3 agricultural land (good to moderate quality), with smaller areas of higher-quality Grade 2 land in Area B, and lower-quality Grade 4 land along the River Tas and its tributaries. The updated England Peat Map also highlights peat deposits within the river floodplain and in woodland areas such as Fundenhall Wood to the north west.

Aukera are currently undertaking detailed ALC surveys across the three Areas to determine the extent of each Grade, and the split between Grade 3a (good quality) and Grade 3b (moderate quality). The ALC surveys will also capture data on the extent of peat. Survey work will also focus on the extent and depth of peat along the River Tas, to help inform the location of the crossing and construction method.

 We are currently undertaking our phase 1 consultation, which includes four in-person public events and two online webinars, as well as engagement with those living within 300m of the proposed development site and elected representatives.

We are committed to maintaining an open dialogue with the community, and engagement will continue throughout the lifetime of the project. Feedback received will play an important role in shaping the design as it evolves. A second phase of consultation is planned for 2026, providing further opportunities for the community to share their views.

We are currently at an early stage of design development and so the potential impact on PRoW is still under consideration.

Where reasonably practicable we will seek to ensure that existing PRoW on the Site are retained where possible, maintaining access to the countryside.

Our design will be sensitive to PRoWs and bridleways aiming to improve where feasible. Our Overview Plan presents the existing PRoWs in the area and how these relate to our early-stage proposals.

Aukera will establish a community benefit fund in relation to the Tasway Energy Park. The fund will be designed to provide financial support for community groups, schools, and local organisations, helping to enhance facilities, support education, and deliver social or environmental projects within the surrounding area. Aukera’s approach to the proposed community benefit fund tis under consideration and will be informed and shaped by the Governments views on such funds, which are currently under review. 

Landowners

What are Land Interest Questionnaires?

Land Interest Questionnaires (LIQs) are a standard tool used in major infrastructure projects to help promoters understand who has an interest in the land within or near the proposed project area.

Key things to know about LIQs:

  • They are about engagement, not acquisition. Completing an LIQ does not mean your land is being compulsorily purchased (CPO’d), nor that it is even being considered for this.
  • Filling out and returning an LIQ does not affect your ability to object or submit your views on the project nor is it a sign of any agreement with the developer
  • They help us engage better with landowners . LIQs give us a clearer picture of who owns, occupies, or has rights over land. This allows us to communicate more effectively and keep people informed.
  • They are part of our duty – As the project promoter, we are required to carry out thorough engagement with landowners and communities. LIQs are one way we meet that responsibility.
  • They are optional – You don’t have to fill in an LIQ if you don’t want to. However, the information you provide helps us build a better understanding of local land interests and makes engagement throughout the process more meaningful.

The LIQ is an important part of the DCO process for a promoter as it means we can build a clear picture of who owns what and who we will need to keep in touch with regarding any potential impact. It also means we are able to know exactly who we need to discuss private agreements to acquire or lease land which is needed or to collaborate on options to re-design an emerging project to remove the affect on this land e.g. re-drawing a boundary to remove a section of land.  The LIQ is only a fact-finding exercise, nothing more. If you do not wish to fill it in, you don’t have to.

Compulsory acquisition (CA) is a legal mechanism that allows a developer to acquire land or rights over land that is needed for a project, even if the owner does not initially agree to sell.  The use of CA powers ensures that essential infrastructure can be delivered. For Nationally Significant Infrastructure projects such as Tasway Energy Park, CA powers can be granted as part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) required for the project. For the Tasway Energy Park, CA powers are considered a last resort, with the preference being to reach private agreements with landowners wherever possible, or to adjust the project design to avoid compulsory acquisition.

No, the land has been assembled through private agreements with individual landowners.

Aukera’s approach is to avoid using CA powers unless absolutely necessary. Aukera is in the early stages of consultation and will work to agree arrangements with landowners through voluntary, private agreements wherever possible.

Aukera will focus on design adjustments in the first instance and enter into voluntary agreements to minimise the need for compulsory acquisition. CA powers are granted as part of the DCO by the Secretary of State, following a rigorous examination and approval process.

Landowners have the right to object to the proposal for any CA powers during the examination of the DCO application. If a CA is granted, landowners are entitled to fair compensation under UK law.

  • How is the decision taken to allow CA?

Aukera, as the promoter of Tasway Energy Park, can apply for CA powers as part of the DCO process under the Planning Act 2008.  CA powers require approval from the Secretary of State following a rigorous examination and approval process.

The grant of CA powers is subject to strict legal tests, and Aukera will need to provide clear justification for any CA powers sought in the DCO.

As part of the examination into the DCO application, those persons whose land will be affected by the CA powers sought are entitled to make representations and to speak at any compulsory acquisition hearings that are held.

If CA powers are granted, landowners are entitled to fair compensation under UK law.