Tesco has secured its largest Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in the UK, facilitated by EDF, ensuring the supermarket chain will receive 65% of the solar energy generated by the 373MW Cleve Hill Solar Park. Located on the north Kent coast, Cleve Hill is currently under construction and is expected to be operational by early 2025.
The 15-year deal is the largest solar corporate PPA ever agreed in the UK, according to Tesco. Cleve Hill will generate enough renewable energy annually to power the equivalent of 144 large Tesco stores, with over 560,000 solar panels and energy storage infrastructure supporting the site. EDF will provide power balancing and shaping services to facilitate the agreement.
Tesco Chief Executive Ken Murphy stated, “We are delighted to be announcing such a significant step in our journey towards carbon neutrality across our own operations by 2035. Cleve Hill solar park, with its ability to generate up to 10% of our UK electricity demand, joins a number of other Power Purchase Agreements we have announced over the last five years.”
Murphy also emphasized the role of Cleve Hill in Tesco's renewable energy strategy: “With its ability to provide vital energy storage infrastructure, it is 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.”
The Cleve Hill project will contribute significantly to Tesco's aim of covering 45% of its UK electricity demand and 36% of the group's projected 2030 energy requirements through PPAs.
