The Cleve Hill Solar Farm in Kent has officially entered commercial operation, becoming the largest operational solar energy project in the UK at 373MW capacity.

Developed by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, the project exports over four times the energy of the next-largest solar farm in the country. During its commissioning in May, Cleve Hill briefly contributed up to 0.7% of the UK’s national electricity demand.

The project was also the first solar development in the UK to be designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). It received government support through a Contract for Difference (CfD) from the Low Carbon Contracts Company, securing the largest award for a solar project in CfD Round 4.

Backed by a $277 million term loan and a $25.4 million VAT facility from Lloyds and NatWest, it represents the largest solar-plus-storage project financing in UK history.

Construction is ongoing for a 150MW battery energy storage system (BESS) co-located on site. Upon completion, this will make Cleve Hill the largest co-located solar and battery storage facility in the UK.

Keith Gains, Managing Director and UK Regional Leader at Quinbrook, said the project sets “a new benchmark for large-scale solar,” emphasizing its role in the UK’s transition to cleaner energy and local job creation.

The farm also features the largest corporate solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in the UK, secured with Tesco.

Source: energyvoice.com