Wiltshire, UK — Axpo has entered into a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with British Solar Renewables (BSR) to purchase energy from the Whaddon solar farm in Wiltshire. The 25MW solar project is co-located with a 16MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), marking a significant step in Axpo's strategy to expand its presence in the UK energy market.
This is the first PPA between Axpo and BSR, with the agreement stipulating that Axpo will receive all of the solar farm's metered output, which will be traded on the UK wholesale market.
In addition to the PPA, BSR has contracted Flexitricity to optimize the BESS through a bespoke trading arrangement. This arrangement aims to ensure accurate settlement between the boundary meter and the BESS asset meter, preventing any loss of value between the solar energy offtake and the dynamic optimization of the battery storage.
Axpo UK's senior originator, Rob Bullyment, commented on the agreement: “This agreement with BSR is an important step in the development of our UK business, supporting clients on their sustainability journey. It demonstrates once again Axpo's willingness and ability to partner with third parties to provide innovative solutions to the energy needs of our clients.
Tim Humpage, CEO of British Solar Renewables, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership, saying: “We are pleased to offer Axpo the opportunity to deliver clean energy solutions to their customers. Their commitment to a decarbonised future closely aligns with our own, and this initiative plays a crucial role in advancing the UK's position as a clean energy leader, supporting the government's ambitious target of reducing emissions by 81% by 2035.”
Flexitricity CEO, Andy Lowe, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating: “We are delighted to be working with both BSR and Axpo to optimise the BESS at Whaddon Farm. This collaboration is a prime example of how innovative partnerships can contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system, and support the National Energy System Operator's Clean Power 2030 ambitions.
The Whaddon solar farm, alongside its integrated battery storage, represents a growing shift towards renewable energy solutions in the UK, aligning with national goals to reduce carbon emissions and build a more sustainable energy infrastructure.
