UK | Tesco has announced signing its largest UK Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), facilitated by EDF, securing 65 percent of the solar power generation from Cleve Hill Solar Park.
Cleve Hill, located on the north Kent coast, is the largest solar and battery storage project ever constructed in the UK, with 373 megawatts (MW) capacity. The project, which began construction in early 2023, will become operational in early 2025.
Tesco’s 15-year Power Purchase Agreement represented the most significant solar corporate PPA ever agreed in the UK. Cleve Hill is projected to generate renewable energy annually to meet the equivalent electricity needs of 144 large Tesco stores.
The site will feature more than 560,000 solar panels and energy storage infrastructure, making it a significant contributor to the UK’s renewable energy landscape. EDF provided power balancing and shaping services to facilitate the agreement.
“We’re delighted to announce such a significant step in our journey towards carbon neutrality across our operations by 2035. With its ability to generate up to ten percent of our UK electricity demand, Cleve Hill Solar Park joins several other Power Purchase Agreements we’ve announced over the last five years,” said Ken Murphy, Group Chief Executive, Tesco.
“With its ability to provide vital energy storage infrastructure, it's a key part of the renewable energy strategy in the UK and further evidence of our commitment to tackle climate change and source green electricity from innovative projects like this.”
In the first quarter of 2023, renewables generated 48 percent of all UK electricity. Partnerships between Tesco, Quinbrook, and EDF were crucial for bridging the investment and infrastructure gap needed to achieve the UK’s net zero target.
This project supported the UK’s clean energy goals and demonstrated a commitment to sustainable development and innovation in renewable energy technology. Cleve Hill Solar Park has been classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), highlighting its importance to the national energy strategy.
Over the past five years, Tesco has announced multiple energy projects, helping the retailer source green electricity directly from wind farms and solar parks across the UK. With the addition of Cleve Hill to the existing portfolio, PPAs will cover 45 percent of Tesco UK’s or 36 percent of the Group’s expected 2030 electricity demand.
“Tesco’s commitment to Cleve Hill Solar Park underscores the value of the project, which has set new benchmarks for UK solar. Quinbrook is proud of developing Cleve Hill as we believe it is a blueprint for the UK's next generation of energy transition infrastructure. We are grateful to Tesco for their partnership,” said Keith Gains, Managing Director and UK regional lead, Quinbrook.
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