Thrive Renewables has acquired the 14-megawatt Dunmow solar farm in Essex, marking the company’s first fully owned ground-mounted solar project and a step toward its goal of doubling generation capacity by 2028.
The construction of the solar facility is complete, and operations are expected to begin later this month. The site is projected to generate up to 14,500 megawatt hours of electricity annually, contributing to the UK’s renewable energy supply.
“Solar power is a critical technology for net zero and one of the cheapest ways to generate clean electricity today,” said Monika Paplaczyk, Chief Investment Officer at Thrive Renewables. “We’re excited to have acquired Dunmow, further diversifying our project portfolio.”
Dunmow is the third project financed by Fair Play Clean Energy, a joint venture between Thrive and TopCashback Sustainability, which has committed £80 million to support UK clean energy developments.
Originally developed by PS Renewables, the firm will continue its involvement as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor. “We are pleased to have completed this transaction with Thrive Renewables and to begin a relationship that will undoubtedly support the UK’s clean energy ambitions,” said PS Renewables Managing Director Jose Luis Gandia.
As part of its community engagement approach, Thrive plans to offer up to 10% local ownership in the Dunmow project. A biodiversity management plan is also in place, with the site expected to deliver a 65% net gain in habitat units and a 19% gain in hedgerow units—well above England’s 10% planning threshold.
The company is also exploring additional voluntary conservation measures to expand on its existing environmental commitments.
Thrive reported earlier this year that its portfolio is on track to grow from 91.5MW to 170.1MW by 2027, aligning with broader national targets under the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which calls for 47GW of installed solar capacity by the end of the decade.
