PVDP of Germany has proposed to build an 840 MW solar farm in the UK; Sonnedix ventures into Portugal with 262 MW purchase; Alight secures majority stake investment from DIF Capital; Encavis acquires the world’s ‘largest’ carport in the Netherlands; Enviromena to appeal against refusal for planning approval for its 11.8 MW solar farm in the UK.
840 MW solar farm proposed for the UK: German solar power projects developer Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP) has proposed to build an 840 MW solar farm in the west of Oxfordshire in the UK. The Botley West Solar Farm is planned to come up in the north of Woodstock, west of Kidlington and west of Botely. As per tentative timeline shared by the company, the project should start construction in the Summer of 2025 provided all necessary approvals are in. Once online, it will help decarbonize the electricity supply, contribute to Oxfordshire’s 2050 target of transition to net-zero and generate enough electricity to power some 330,000 homes. Currently it is consulting various stakeholders, including general public, for the plant. Details are available on its website.
Sonnedix purchases 262 MW solar in Portugal: Spain’s Sonnedix has forayed into Portuguese market with the acquisition of 262 MW solar PV portfolio. It comprises 7 ground mounted projects under construction or at late-stage development. On completion, this capacity is expected to produce close to 415,000 MWh annually in the 1st year of its operation. For Sonnedix, this deal diversifies its geographical portfolio and strengthens its position in Europe. It takes the company’s global portfolio to around 6 GW, including a development pipeline exceeding 5 GW.
DIF Capital invests in Swedish solar developer: Global independent investment manager DIF Capital Partners is taking a majority stake in Noridc solar developer and independent power producer (IPP) Alight with an investment of €150 million. The Sweden headquartered company is into the business of developing subsidy-free solar projects, aiming for at least 5 GW installed capacity by 2030, contracted under power purchase agreements (PPA). It is currently developing over 1 GW PPA-based projects across Sweden in addition to 170 MW under development across rest of Europe. With the DIF investment, Alight will accelerate the build-out of new solar projects in the Nordics and more broadly across Europe.
Encavis invests in solar carport: Germany’s Encavis has purchased the world’s ‘largest’ solar carport with 37.6 MW capacity in the Netherlands for its Encavis Infrastrcuture Fund II (EIF II). The Dutch project in Flevoland has over 90,700 bifacial solar panels sitting atop the carport covering 250,000 m2 area with capacity to provide parking space to around 15,000 cars. With the acquisition, EIF II’s renewable energy generation capacity now goes up to 600 MW. Encavis says the fund is one of the largest renewable energy portfolios for institutional investors.
Appeal against planning permission refusal for PV plant: UK headquartered renewable energy company Enviromena is appealing against the decision of Doreset Council to refuse planning permission for a ‘major’ 11.8 MW solar farm proposed by the firm. The solar plant is proposed to be sited at Cruxton Farm near Maiden Newton in Dorchester, UK. According to the company, the planning officer recommended that the 40-acre site did not meet criteria for development in an area of outstanding natural beauty and the visual impact of the project will be detrimental to the landscape. The same was accepted by the council.
“Despite being presented with the facts that the site would provide significant progress towards supporting UK energy independence, help to reduce the cost of energy for UK residents over the long term, and help to offset substantial amounts of carbon in the atmosphere at a time when fuel prices are pushing more people into poverty and temperatures appear to be rising globally, the view was taken that the site’s visual impact would prove detrimental to the landscape,” said Enviromena CEO Cabell Fisher while explaining the decision to appeal.
