The Cleve Hill solar farm in Kent, touted as the largest of its kind in the UK, will now supply energy to Tesco supermarkets and Shell EV stations.
- Initially approved to power local homes, 65% of the solar farm’s output will serve Tesco, with the remaining 35% allocated to Shell’s EV charging network.
- The solar farm’s approval in 2020 sparked controversy due to its impact on local wildlife and was accused of favouring corporate interests over local needs.
- The Cleve Hill project, financed by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, aims to generate 373 MW of power, equivalent to half of a small gas-fired station.
- Critics argue the project undermines its original green energy promise, as the UK races to expand its renewable infrastructure amidst environmental and corporate tensions.
The Cleve Hill solar farm, sprawling over 860 acres on the Kent coast near Faversham, has been earmarked to provide power to major corporate entities, despite initial plans to supply local homes. With Tesco receiving 65% of its energy output and Shell utilising the remaining 35%, the farm will be operational by early 2025. This shift in energy allocation has ignited debates about the prioritisation of commercial gains over community needs.
Approvals for the Cleve Hill project were granted in 2020 by then energy secretary Alok Sharma, amidst protests from local communities concerned about the environmental impact. Critics, including Vicky Ellis of CPRE Kent, express frustration over what they perceive as the ‘irony’ of its benefits skewing towards a ‘major supermarket and an oil giant.’
The project has also drawn attention for its substantial scale and technological aspects. It will feature 560,000 solar panels, with some mounted on steel frames, comparable in height to a double-decker bus due to flood risks. The expected power generation of 373 megawatts is a significant contribution to the grid, indicative of the UK’s ambitious renewable energy targets.
Tesco’s engagement through a power purchase agreement highlights its commitment to sustainability, aiming to fulfil up to 10% of its UK electricity demand through Cleve Hill. Ken Murphy, CEO of Tesco, commented on the significance of this initiative in meeting the supermarket’s green targets. Meanwhile, Shell’s portion of the energy supports its expanding network of electric vehicle charging stations, underlining its broader renewable ambitions.
This project is not without its challenges. Environmentalists critique the conversion of the Graveney Marshes into a commercial energy hub as a compromise of natural beauty and wildlife. Despite these controversies, the solar sector continues its aggressive growth, with larger projects such as the 600MW Cottam solar farm on the horizon. Industry leaders like Chris Hewett of Solar Energy UK are optimistic about the sector’s potential, projecting a tripling of solar capacity by 2030.
As the UK bolsters its renewable energy infrastructure, the balance between environmental integrity and corporate energy demands remains a contentious issue.
