CEN LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO UNLEASH FLOATING SOLAR FROM RED TAPE

• The Conservative Environment Network, alongside members of its caucus, have launched a new campaign calling on the government to cut red tape on floating solar to empower this innovative sector

• By expanding permitted development for floating solar to more man-made bodies of water and for projects selling their power to the grid, it will make it easier and cheaper to build floating solar

• This will help bolster our energy security (by diversifying our domestically produced energy), our food security (as agricultural land will face less pressure to host solar), and water security (as floating solar panels reduce evaporation rates)

[12th January 2026] The Conservative Environment Network, with support from Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp, has launched its ‘Let floating solar shine’ campaign, which calls on the government to liberate the floating solar industry, thereby enhancing our energy, water, and food security. 

Currently, the industry is drowning in red tape. Permitted development rights for floating solar - which allow infrastructure to be built without planning permission - only exist for floating solar on reservoirs. That means the UK is currently neglecting other man-made bodies of water, such as disused docks, on-farm reservoirs, and disused quarries.

Additionally, water companies that opt to build floating solar through PDRs must consume the power themselves. If they want to sell the electricity generated to the grid or other consumers, they need planning permission. 

This red tape has put a straitjacket on private investment in the UK’s floating solar industry.

So far the government has made little effort to empower the sector. Therefore, CEN is calling on the government to expand permitted development rights for floating solar (A) to on-farm reservoirs and disused docks and quarries, and (B) to projects that sell their electricity to the grid or other consumers. 

This would encourage water companies to build floating solar on the 570 reservoirs that exist in the UK, potentially generating 2.7 terrawatt hours of domestically produced electricity. Additionally, floating solar is 15% more energy efficient than land-based solar. This will help shore up energy security and diversify the UK’s energy supply.

CEN’s campaign will also go further than enhancing our energy security, as floating solar has the potential to also support our nation’s drive for both our water and food security. 

By unlocking man-made bodies of water for solar, less pressure will be placed on agricultural land for solar farms, ensuring the UK can continue to produce food domestically. Additionally, floating solar reduces evaporation by creating a physical barrier between the water and the sun. In recent years, the UK has faced new threats from drought, and floating solar can help enhance the UK’s water security. 

Lincoln Jopp MP said: 

“Britain needs more domestic energy to bolster our nation's security. But Labour is completely neglecting the potential of floating solar by letting it drown in red tape.

“That is why I am campaigning to expand permitted development rights for floating solar on man-made bodies of water and allow water companies to sell this energy to the grid. This change will kickstart our floating solar industry and get Britain producing more homegrown, clean energy.    

“Waiving these planning rules for floating solar is both critical for nurturing this innovative industry and for bringing more clean energy to Britain without encroaching on our prime agricultural land. If this government truly wanted to strengthen energy security and diversify our domestic energy supply, it should back this campaign to cut the restrictive red tape that is holding back floating solar.” 

Elinor Bale, CEN’s Climate Programme Manager, said: 

“The UK has vast untapped potential for floating solar power which can help protect our energy, water, and food security, reducing our reliance on land for energy. 

“However, the government has overlooked this vital energy source. Restrictive planning regulations are preventing the floating solar industry from scaling up, and the government is failing to remove the red-tape that is holding it back. 

“The Conservative Environment Network is campaigning to expand permitted development rights for floating solar on man-made bodies of water and to allow the energy produced to be sold. This will help the floating solar industry to scale up, supporting energy security and creating new jobs. Additionally, this will reduce the demand for solar farms to be placed on agricultural land and help improve our water security as the panels reduce evaporation.”