Overview
The Helios Renewable Energy Project is a large-scale solar farm incorporating energy storage, located on agricultural land in North Yorkshire, England (Essential Infrastructure). The project spans over 475 hectares and is designed to generate 190 MW of low-carbon electricity, contributing significantly to the UK’s renewable energy targets. As a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), it required a Development Consent Order (DCO).
The site presented complex flood risk constraints, which needed to be carefully managed to meet planning policy requirements and ensure the project could progress safely through the Examination phase.
Aegaea’s Approach
Aegaea Limited worked closely with PFA Consulting Ltd to provide critical site-specific flood modelling for the project. Our modelling quantified the flood risk across the Helios site and informed the development of a proportionate mitigation scheme tailored to the solar farm’s layout and policy requirements. The outputs underpinned the Flood Risk Assessment and Environmental Statement, providing robust evidence to support the DCO application.
As part of the assessment, detailed fluvial flood modelling was undertaken with a tidal downstream boundary, simulating a range of design flood events and climate change scenarios. This included standard and extreme fluvial events, combined with future tidal conditions for the 2050s and 2070s epochs. Sensitivity testing was used to understand worst-case interactions between river flows and tidal levels, providing a robust basis for quantifying flood risk across the site in line with national policy requirements .
By working collaboratively with PFA Consulting, Aegaea ensured that the proposed development could be designed and constructed without increasing flood risk elsewhere on the site.
The Outcome
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero granted Development Consent for the Helios Renewable Energy Project, enabling the project to proceed.
Aegaea’s flood modelling was instrumental in demonstrating that the project could safely manage complex surface water and drainage constraints. The collaboration highlights how expert technical input in flood risk assessment and modelling is essential to successfully deliver large-scale renewable energy projects in sensitive locations.
