British Gas owner Centrica has started construction work on its first solar farm, which is being built in Wiltshire.
The 18MW Codford Solar Farm, near Warminster, was acquired in 2021 and received Centrica investment approval in December. It is expected to be complete by the summer.
According to Centrica, once finished the 72-acre site will be capable of powering some 4,850 homes.
In late 2021, Centrica Business Solutions announced ambitions to deliver 900MW of solar and battery storage by 2026. Codford will be the first solar farm completed as part of those aims and follows the acquisition of a 30MW battery storage plant in Dyce, Scotland.
Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire, visited the site last week (April 22) to help install one of the first solar panel racks on to which the 33,000 panels will be installed.
He said: “Renewables are an important element of the drive to net zero, reducing the UK’s reliance on geopolitically challenging parts of the world, promoting self-sufficiency and advancing the economy.”
Centrica has committed to reaching net zero by 2045. Bill Rees, director of Centrica Energy Assets, said the construction of the Wiltshire wind farm was was a "key milestone" in the company’s drive to tackle the effects of climate change.
He said: "We must make full use of the natural resources available to us in order to deliver a clean, green, renewable energy future for the UK.”
Push Energy is building the solar farm alongside Centrica. Amit Oza, chief commercial officer at Push Energy added: “Push is pleased to be delivering the Codford Solar Farm for Centrica as it embarks on its ambitious solar generation plans. This project is an example of the partnership between the two companies in action as we work together to develop, build and operate new solar capacity at scale.”
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