UK-based renewable energy developer Aura Power has reached financial close on the 30-megawatt Rayleigh solar farm in Essex, marking the latest addition to its growing UK solar portfolio, the company said on Tuesday.
Senior debt financing was provided by Dutch lender Rabobank, which has previously supported three other Aura Power solar projects currently under construction.
The Rayleigh development is supported by a Contract for Difference (CfD) awarded under Allocation Round 6 (AR6), the UK government’s mechanism for supporting low-carbon electricity generation.
With the Rayleigh project now moving forward, Aura said it brings its total UK solar capacity under construction to 242MW.
“We are delighted to have reached financial close on the Rayleigh solar farm, which marks another important step in delivering our nearly 600MWp ready-to-build solar portfolio in the UK,” said Ali Timms, general counsel at Aura Power. “Thanks to our financiers Rabobank and Investec, as well as our in-house team and partners for enabling us to realise this project.”
Site preparations are scheduled to begin in November, with full construction work expected to start in February 2026. Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activities will be led by ib vogt, Aura’s joint venture and EPC partner.
Rabobank, which has maintained an ongoing financing relationship with Aura, described the Rayleigh project as part of the UK’s wider clean energy transition.
“We’re delighted to back Aura Power in plugging more sunshine into the UK grid with already the fourth transaction in a row,” said Paul Graafland, associate director at Rabobank. “With the UK charging ahead on renewables, this solar PV project is another bright step toward a cleaner, greener future – and we’re proud to help finance it.”
Law firm Burges Salmon advised Aura Power on the legal aspects of the deal.
