NextEnergy Solar secures subsidised UK solar contracts – NextEnergy Solar (NESF) has secured additional subsidised solar contracts in the UK comprising contracts on 86MW of planned additional capacity through the fourth Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round (AR4) announced last month.
The CfDs have been secured for 100% of the generating capacity of Whitecross (36MW) and Hatherden (50MW), the company’s latest new-build UK solar projects. The CfDs last for 15-years, are index linked to inflation (CPI) annually, and are scheduled to commence from 31 March 2025 at the AR4 solar PV strike price of £45.99/MWh (set in 2012 equivalent prices – the equivalent of about £57.49/MWh was £66/MWh – our mistake, used RPI instead of CPI – today).
Whitecross solar farm is currently under construction in Lincolnshire and is expected to be energised in the first quarter of 2023. Grid connection and construction mobilisation works are underway for Hatherden solar farm in Hampshire, which is expected to be energised in the first half of 2023.
Ross Grier, UK manager director of NextEnergy Group, said: “The inclusion of solar PV in AR4 demonstrates the importance of this source of clean energy generation to the transition to net zero and we are delighted to have secured CfDs for NESF through the competitive auction process. By providing long term revenue stability for the new solar plants, the CfDs complement NESF’s continued delivery of attractive, risk-adjusted returns for investors whilst also achieving low-cost price security for energy consumers. Our ability to secure CfDs further underlines our market-leading position in the UK solar sector.”
NESF : NextEnergy Solar secures subsidised UK solar contracts