NextEnergy Capital Group (“NEC Group”) announced the successful energisation of two recently constructed subsidy-free solar farms in the UK (Llanwern & Strensham) with a combined installed capacity of 115 MW. Enough clean energy to power an estimated 31,477 homes each year.
Llanwern, located in Newport, Wales, has an installed capacity of 75 MW, making it the largest solar farm constructed and energised in the UK.
Subsidy-free solar farm with a special ecological management plan
The solar farm, a Development of National Significance, and approved by the Welsh Assembly in 2018 - was constructed during the Covid-19 pandemic and employed over 200 workers on site at peak construction. The asset is situated within the Gwent Levels, an area with special ecological considerations supporting unique ecology.
A one-of-a-kind ecological management plan sits behind the asset - agreed in partnership with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Royal Society for the Protection of Bird (RSPB) and other stakeholders including Newport Council – which will restore the landscape for the specific benefit of rare birds, small mammals and invertebrates; many of which are unique to this area.
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Strensham, the second solar farm, located in Worcestershire, England, has an installed capacity of 40 MW and was built in an impressive 7-month timeframe, employing up to 150 workers at the peak of construction.
Key highlights Llanwern solar farm
Key highlights Strensham solar farm
NextEnergy Capital Group
NEC Group is proud that it continues its mission to lead in the transition of clean energy from solar assets, whilst also adding renewable energy capacity to global energy networks to help governments globally achieve their net-zero goals by 2050.
Innovative financing
Both projects were financed by Santander Group, which provided an innovative non-recourse funding structure. This provided NEC Group with the flexibility to build additional subsidy-free projects, ensured that NEC Group continues to lead in the subsidy-free space, and further proved NEC Group’s ability to manage construction and operations of innovative solar assets on a significant scale.
Ross Grier, Managing Director at NextEnergy Capital Group, commented: “Building the UK’s largest subsidy-free solar farm in Wales, during a global pandemic is a great achievement for the team. NEC Group continues to lead the charge in the UK’s energy transition through its work delivering post subsidy solar.” (hcn)
