In a significant move, Tesco and Shell are set to leverage the output from the UK’s largest solar farm, initially planned to power 100,000 homes, for their corporate needs.
- 65% of the energy from Cleve Hill solar farm will power Tesco supermarkets; Shell will utilize the remaining 35% for EV charging stations.
- The Cleve Hill project, located near Faversham, has faced local opposition due to its impact on Graveney Marshes, yet it moves forward to serve corporate interests.
- Despite initial promises to power local homes, the solar farm will primarily benefit large corporations, drawing criticism from environmental groups.
- The move underscores the tension between corporate energy demands and the need for sustainable, community-focused renewable energy solutions.
Tesco and Shell have announced plans to use electricity from the Cleve Hill solar farm, the UK’s largest solar project. The solar farm was originally intended to supply renewable energy to 100,000 homes but will now serve the energy needs of Tesco supermarkets and Shell’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network. Tesco will receive 65% of the generated power, while Shell will manage the remaining 35%. The farm, expected to begin operations in early 2025, marks a significant shift in its purpose from community energy supply to corporate utility.
The Cleve Hill solar project, spanning 860 acres on the Kent coast, has been a point of contention since its inception. Despite its environmental advantages, local communities and environmental advocates have voiced concerns about its impact on the Graveney Marshes, an area known for its rich wildlife. The project, approved in 2020 by then-energy secretary Alok Sharma, has sparked debate over the appropriateness of utilizing such large-scale renewable energy sources primarily for corporate benefit rather than local community support.
Critics, including Vicky Ellis from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Kent, express frustration that Cleve Hill was originally approved to provide electricity for homes, not for large corporations like a major supermarket chain and an oil company. Ellis stated that the irony of these corporations benefitting from a project marketed as green energy is not lost on observers.
The Cleve Hill project, financed by US-based Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, is set to produce 373 megawatts of power, equating to half the output of a small gas-fired power station. Despite these impressive figures, the project faces ongoing criticism for transforming natural marshlands into a commercial energy hub, which opponents argue compromises local beauty and habitats.
From Tesco’s perspective, their involvement with Cleve Hill aligns with their sustainability goals, as the solar farm will fulfill up to 10% of their electricity demands in the UK. Tesco has progressively engaged in Power Purchase Agreements to bolster its renewable energy sources over the past five years. Similarly, Shell’s 10-year agreement for a portion of the output supports its ambitions to expand its presence in the renewable market, despite skepticism about its oil operations.
The Cleve Hill solar farm is part of a broader governmental initiative to expand renewable energy across the UK, with larger projects like the 600MW Cottam solar farm in Lincolnshire already on the horizon. Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK, has indicated that the solar industry aims to triple its capacity by 2030, striving to achieve up to 50 gigawatts of generation. This ambition reflects a growing trend of collaborations between big business and renewable energy, though it continues to fuel debates on corporate versus community benefits.
The Cleve Hill initiative exemplifies the complexities of balancing corporate goals, environmental sustainability, and local interests in the renewable energy sector.
