RWE starts construction of its first UK solar farms

Posted on 22 March 2024

• RWE starts the construction of seven new UK solar and co-located battery projects
• New sites will have a combined installed capacity of 330MW of solar power with 45MW of co-located battery storage (BESS)
• Contracts placed with two UK based companies have paved the way for construction start; solar power plays an increasingly key role in the UK’s clean energy infrastructure.

 Swindon, 13  March 2024

RWE has taken a major step towards the realisation of its first solar farms in the UK, with seven projects, representing 330 megawatts (MW) of new, clean electricity capacity, now entering construction.

The projects are the first to be constructed from the solar portfolio secured by RWE through its acquisition of JBM Solar, one of the UK’s largest independent solar and co-located battery developers. The acquisition of around 3.8 gigawatts (GW) capacity of solar and 2.3 GW of battery development projects positioned RWE as one of the UK’s largest solar developers, and was a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to its continued investment in UK clean energies.

Mobilisation is now underway at the sites, unlocking significant investment in new green infrastructure, alongside biodiversity net gains and local community benefits. The projects, all of which have already successfully secured Contracts for Difference, are being constructed to facilitate the future co-location of battery storage (BESS) where this is not already being installed, in order to maximise best use of the Grid.

 Katja Wünschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia: “The deployment of these seven new projects represents a significant milestone for RWE as we grow and diversify our clean energy portfolio through solar and battery power, in one of our most strategically important markets.  Quick to deploy and using the most modern solar technologies, we aim to maximise the generation potential of these sites for the UK; with a national target to increase solar capacity five-fold by 2035 and similar for battery storage, our projects will play a key role in helping ensure the UK decarbonises its power grid and achieves its challenging net zero targets.”

The first of the seven sites is due to become fully operational by the end of 2024, with the remainder to follow shortly after. Once fully operational, the sites will be capable of meeting the average annual electricity needs of over 140,000 typical UK homes, reducing UK carbon emissions by an estimated 8 million tonnes during their lifetime. Working closely with local parishes, RWE’s projects will also contribute a total of £645,000 in community benefits to the neighbouring area directly supporting local projects, as well as supporting local jobs and opportunities for local businesses.

RWE aims to commission on average 450MW of new UK solar capacity per year up to 2030 in support of the UK’s ambitions for 70GW of solar capacity by 2035. Globally, RWE plans to increase its installed solar capacity from 3.9 GW to 16 GW by 2030.

In preparation for the construction works, RWE has awarded major construction contracts to two UK-based contractors, Ethical Power and also Equans UK & Ireland, under its new brand Equans Solar & Storage. They will provide a comprehensive range of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services to seven of RWE’s solar farm projects located across England, from north Devon to Lincolnshire.

Tom Kneen, CEO and Founder of Ethical Power: “We are proud to have been selected by RWE for this market-leading development where we’ll be able to showcase the full scope of our capabilities. Together with RWE, we will continue to drive the decarbonisation of the UK’s energy systems realising the immense potential of clean energy. We’re at the cutting edge of technological development. Providing optimum performance and the highest quality of service is of paramount importance to us. Working on the DC coupled battery storage with RWE affords us the opportunity to do this again at scale. We’ll use the depth of knowledge and experience within our teams to help bring new ideas and technology to the UK market.”

Gregory Allouis, Energy Solutions Director for Equans UK & Ireland: “We are very pleased to support RWE in the delivery of their UK ambitions through leveraging our expertise in energy engineering innovation in the solar market.  Across multiple projects, we will deploy diverse and state-of-the-art technologies that will provide the UK economy with clean energy produced locally. Furthermore, our works will benefit local communities and create jobs. There is no time to waste to fight global warming and, as engineers, it is our duty to play our part now. By working in partnership with RWE, we can together accelerate the path to Net Zero.”

The seven RWE projects represent a total of 330MW solar & 45 MW BESS installed capacity.

• Langford - 35MW solar + 35MW BESS.
• Claydon - 45MW solar +10MW BESS
• Cotmoor – 50MW
• Moreton Lane - 50MW
• Doverdale – 50MW
• Stoneshollow - 50MW
• Ashorne - 50MW

For more information about RWE’s UK solar portfolio, visit our website.

Standard images of solar projects for media use (credit: RWE) are available at the RWE Media Centre

 RWE

RWE is leading the way to a green energy world. With its investment and growth strategy Growing Green, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonization of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is already one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. Between 2024 and 2030, RWE will invest 55 billion euros worldwide in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy, batteries, flexible generation, and hydrogen projects. By the end of the decade, the company’s green portfolio will grow to more than 65 gigawatts of generation capacity, which will be perfectly complemented by global energy trading. RWE is decarbonizing its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net-zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose - Our energy for a sustainable life.

About Ethical Power

Ethical Power will deliver three solar and energy storage projects within the Brunel Cluster, representing a combined capacity of 189MW. As a vertically integrated renewable energy company, Ethical Power offers end-to-end solutions from civils to grid connection. Its Independent Connections Provider (ICP) team will additionally provide high-voltage connection services on other Brunel Cluster projects, while its design and engineering teams have been engaged to optimise each project early on.

Headquartered in Devon and with over 20 projects in development or construction across the UK, Ethical Power has built up a domestic supply chain and a strong ethos of benefiting people and economies local to the projects. Ethical Power intends to engage the local workforce, providing job opportunities and adding value to the community. It also wishes to source materials locally, where possible, to reduce the projects’ carbon footprint.

About Equans

Equans is a Bouygues group company. In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of cutting-edge energy and digital services and sustainable facilities management and regeneration. The company’s 15,000 employees combine these activities to help businesses, communities, public sector organisations and government to embrace the energy transition towards net zero - and also the digital & industrial transitions that are together redesigning the way we move, work and live.

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