Lightsource bp has secured a Contract for Difference for its Hett Moor solar farm in the UK’s latest AR7 renewables auction.
The company said the award will enable the project to deliver stable, low-cost renewable electricity to the grid under a long-term contract.
The auction saw record solar participation, with Solar Energy UK estimating that successful projects will add around £370m in gross value to the economy, according to Lightsource bp.
Hett Moor in County Durham is designed to fit sensitively into the landscape and will generate enough power for more than 16,000 homes once operational.
Lightsource bp said the plans were shaped by environmental assessments and community feedback, with biodiversity measures including new habitats, native planting and long-term land management.
Ben Fawcett, head of business development UK at Lightsource bp, said: “We are delighted that Hett Moor Solar Farm has been awarded a contract through the Government’s latest Contracts for Difference auction.”
He added: “This project represents more than delivering affordable, low-carbon energy, it reflects our commitment to listening carefully and working collaboratively with local communities.”