Octopus Energy Generation has announced a £2 billion investment in UK renewable energy projects by 2030, with a focus on solar capacity, including 222 MW currently in the pipeline. The investment covers the development of four new solar farms by BayWa r.e. in the UK, with construction on three sites expected to begin by the end of 2024 and the fourth in 2025.
The projects include the 50 MW Perrinpit Road solar park in Bristol, developed in partnership with Grune Energien Solar, and three ready-to-build sites: the 48 MW Driffield solar park in East Riding of Yorkshire, 52 MW South Fambridge Hall in Essex, and 72 MW Corner Copse in Wiltshire. BayWa r.e. will handle engineering, procurement, and construction for these projects, with Driffield also featuring a 30 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) developed by Octopus.
The solar farms are expected to be operational between 2025 and 2026, contributing to the UK’s clean energy goals. Octopus Energy is also expanding its battery projects, with a 12 MW project in Cheshire, and continues to grow its portfolio, which includes 138 solar farms, wind farms, and rooftop PV schemes.
Octopus recently acquired Exagen, a British solar and storage developer, and plans to submit multiple applications for new wind turbines following the UK government’s onshore wind planning reforms.