Voltalia and City of London Corporation inaugurate South Farm Solar Park

On Friday 16th June, international renewable energy company, Voltalia officially inaugurated its largest solar park to date in the UK, and the first of its kind in the country to be signed directly between a renewable energy producer and a governing authority, City of London Corporation.

This event offered key stakeholders a first-hand look at the completed 130-acre site. Attendees included Alison Gowman, Alderman at City of London Corporation and Chair of Livery Climate Action Group, Finance Directors from Santander, and members of Dorset Council.

South Farm Solar Park has a total capacity of 49.9 megawatts – the equivalent of more than half of the City of London Corporation’s electricity needs. The project has been supported by Santander UK, which provided £25m funding to support its construction and operation.

Laurent Pillot, head of power sales at Voltalia said: “Signing a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement with the City of London Corporation has been an important milestone for Voltalia in the UK. The transition to green electricity is gathering pace globally, and the City Corporation is a leader: it has demonstrated the capacity of a public entity to take efficient and meaningful decisions to accelerate this trend.

“We are very proud to effectively deliver green energy to the City of London Corporation since the beginning of 2023 and we hope to continue to support City of London in their energy transition path.”

Deputy policy chairman and policy lead for sustainability at the City of London Corporation, Keith Bottomley, added: “This scheme is a pioneering blueprint by the City Corporation for local authorities across the UK, cutting carbon emissions and giving cheaper, more secure energy, protected from the price volatility of energy markets.

“The deal will increase our green energy supply, has no reliance on taxpayer funding, and helps us transition quickly away from fossil fuels.”

Simon Holt, UK country manager also discusses how the partnership demonstrates a breakthrough solution for companies looking to reduce energy costs and their reliance on traditional energy formats.

“The UK’s commitment towards decarbonising all sectors of the UK by 2050 has remained, despite the turbulence of Brexit, COVID, and the cost-of-living crisis. As such, we urgently need to act to reach this target.

“Upfront costs have long been a barrier in companies deploying their own renewable energy projects. But the reality is that doing so presents huge cost savings in the long-term. By using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), renewable energy can be secured at a good, fixed price which won’t wildly fluctuate, as the electricity market has done recently.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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