Tesco signs ‘largest’ PPA to power 144 supermarkets
Facilitated by EDF, Tesco’s 15-year PPA site will feature more than 560,000 solar panels, and energy storage infrastructure
Tesco has signed its largest UK Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which has secured 65% of the solar power generation from Cleve Hill Solar Park in North Kent, to meet the equivalent electricity needs of 144 of its large retail stores annually.
Cleve Hill is the largest solar and battery storage project ever constructed in the UK, with a capacity of 373 megawatts.
The project, which began construction in early 2023, is set to become operational in early 2025.
Facilitated by EDF, Tesco’s 15-year PPA site will feature more than 560,000 solar panels, and energy storage infrastructure, making it a “significant” contributor to the UK’s renewable energy landscape.
In the first quarter of 2023, renewables generated 48% of all UK electricity.
Over the past five years, Tesco has announced multiple energy projects, such as sourcing green electricity from wind farms and solar parks across the UK.
With the addition of Cleve Hill to its existing portfolio, PPAs will cover 45% of Tesco UK’s or 36% of the group’s expected 2030 electricity demand.
Ken Murphy, CEO of Tesco, said: “We’re 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’ve announced over the last five years.
“With its ability to provide vital energy storage infrastructure, it’s 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.”
Matthew Nunn, director of EDF Business Solutions, added: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Tesco and Quinbrook on this large scale solar corporate PPA. This is being delivered utilising EDF’s unrivalled energy market knowledge and expert trading capabilities, to guarantee a reliable source of clean and affordable energy.
“It’s great to see solar power playing such an important role in Tesco’s progress towards carbon neutrality.”
