Voltalia, a leading renewable energy company, has recently unveiled its largest solar park in the United Kingdom. The South Farm Solar Park, developed through a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with the City of London Corporation, boasts an impressive total capacity of 49.9MW. This capacity is more than sufficient to meet over half of the governing body's electricity requirements.
Santander UK has played a significant role in supporting this groundbreaking project, providing a generous funding of £25 million to facilitate the park's construction and operation. This collaborative effort between Voltalia, the City of London Corporation, and Santander UK exemplifies the growing momentum of green electricity transition on a global scale.
Laurent Pillot, the Head of Power Sales at Voltalia, expressed his satisfaction with the CPPA, stating, “Signing a CPPA with the City of London Corporation has been an important milestone for Voltalia in the UK. The transition to green electricity is gathering pace globally, and the City Corporation is a leader: it has demonstrated the capacity of a public entity to take efficient and meaningful decisions to accelerate this trend. We are very proud to effectively deliver green energy to the City of London Corporation since the beginning of 2023, and we hope to continue to support the City of London in their energy transition path.”
Keith Bottomley, the Deputy Policy Chairman and Policy Lead for Sustainability at the City of London Corporation, praised the scheme as a groundbreaking blueprint for other local authorities across the UK. He highlighted the significant environmental benefits, remarking, “This scheme is a pioneering blueprint by the City Corporation for local authorities across the UK, cutting carbon emissions and giving cheaper, more secure energy, protected from the price volatility of energy markets. The deal will increase our green energy supply, has no reliance on taxpayer funding, and helps us transition quickly away from fossil fuels.”
The successful inauguration of the South Farm Solar Park signifies a significant step forward in the City of London Corporation's commitment to sustainability and renewable energy. The collaboration between Voltalia, the City of London Corporation, and Santander UK serves as an inspiring example of public-private cooperation driving positive environmental change. With the completion of this solar park, the City of London Corporation is well-positioned to lead the way in the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future.