Tesco has announced the signing of its largest UK PPA, facilitated by EDF, securing 65% of the solar power generation from the 373MW Cleve Hill Solar Park.
Cleve Hill, located on the north Kent coast, began construction in early 2023 and is set to become operational in early 2025.
Tesco’s 15-year deal represents the largest solar corporate PPA ever agreed in the UK, according to the supermarket chain.
Cleve Hill is projected to generate enough renewable power annually to meet the equivalent electricity needs of 144 large Tesco stores.
The 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 with EDF providing power balancing and shaping services to facilitate the agreement.
With the addition of Cleve Hill to our existing portfolio, PPAs will cover 45% of Tesco UK’s or 36% of the group’s expected 2030 electricity demand.
Tesco group chief executive Ken Murphy said: “We are 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 have announced over the last five years.
“With its ability to provide vital energy storage infrastructure, it is 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.”