Tesco has signed its largest UK Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), facilitated by EDF, securing 65 per cent of the solar power generation from Cleve Hill Solar Park.

Cleve Hill, located on the north Kent coast, is the largest solar and battery storage project so far constructed in the UK, with more than 560,000 solar panels and a capacity of 373MW it is set to become operational in early 2025.

Tesco’s 15-year PPA represents the largest solar corporate PPA in the UK, with Cleve Hill projected to generate enough renewable power annually to meet the equivalent electricity needs of 144 large Tesco stores.

Over the past five years, Tesco has announced multiple energy projects, and with the addition of Cleve Hill, PPAs will cover 45 per cent of Tesco’s expected 2030 electricity demand.

The remaining 35 per cent of generation has been earmarked for Shell, but there has been some controversy as the project originally won planning permission, despite local opposition, to help power 100,000 homes.

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