Tesco Powers Ahead with Landmark Solar PPA
Tesco has announced the signing of its largest UK Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to date, securing 65% of the solar power from the 373MW Cleve Hill Solar Park. Facilitated by EDF, this 15-year deal marks the largest solar corporate PPA ever agreed upon in the UK, according to Tesco. Located on the north Kent coast, Cleve Hill Solar Park began construction in early 2023 and is slated to be operational by early 2025. With more than 560,000 solar panels and cutting-edge energy storage infrastructure, Cleve Hill will significantly boost the UK’s renewable energy output. The site is expected to generate enough renewable power annually to meet the electricity needs of 144 large Tesco stores.
Tesco’s commitment to sustainability is further reinforced by this deal. By 2030, PPAs will cover 45% of Tesco UK’s and 36% of the group’s projected electricity demand, demonstrating their leadership in corporate climate action. EDF’s role in power balancing and shaping services is crucial to ensuring the smooth integration of this green energy into the grid. Ken Murphy, Tesco’s group chief executive, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “Cleve Hill Solar Park is a major step toward our goal of carbon neutrality by 2035. It will provide up to 10% of our UK electricity needs, supporting our broader renewable energy strategy and helping us combat climate change.” This landmark deal not only highlights Tesco’s commitment to sourcing green electricity but also underlines the role of innovative solar projects like Cleve Hill in the UK’s journey toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #CleveHillSolarPark #Sustainability #GreenEnergy #ClimateAction #PPAs #Tesco #CarbonNeutrality #UKSolar #EDF #CleanEnergy #EnergyStorage