Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government when an operator of a solar energy project abandons a site in the UK, whether the cost of decommissioning the site falls solely on the owner of the site.

Developers – not landowners – are responsible for meeting decommissioning costs. Planning conditions typically require a site to be returned to its previous use after its period of operation.

In the event that the developer no longer exists to fulfil its duties, planning authorities may serve notices on interested parties to enforce decommissioning requirements.

These risks can be reallocated through negotiation of securities or guarantees during the leasing process.