Centrica acquires consented UK solar plus storage from Canadian Solar

A listed UK energy utility company has closed a deal to acquire a 49.99 MW solar plus storage scheme in the English Midlands from an international PV developer, it is understood.

Centrica in late December 2023 concluded the purchase of the consented Middle Road solar farm, located near Leamington Spa, in Warwickshire, from developer Canadian Solar.

The seller received planning consent from Stratford-on-Avon District Council in August 2023.

Canadian Solar worked on the plans with Corsham-based developer Novergy, as well as planning agent Pegasus Group.

The companies had in 2022 made an original unsuccessful bid for planning consent, which was refused by the council on grounds of impact on the local landscape, before returning in early 2023 with updated proposals.

Centrica is still in the phase of building up its UK solar operations from a small base, and opened its first site – the 18 MW Codford scheme in Wiltshire – in April 2022.

The group during the same month signed a framework agreement with PV developer Push Energy to help assemble a 900 MW portfolio of solar and battery storage projects by 2026.

Centrica and Canadian Solar were contacted for comment.

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