Update on Larks Green solar farm near Thornbury

Energy company RES has been awarded the asset management contract for the Larks Green scheme located in Itchington.

The solar and battery site - which is situated across 261 acres of farmland - became active in April 2023.

It was the first solar farm in the UK to be connected up to the National Grid’s high voltage network.

The solar plant has more 150,000 solar panels and can produce 73,000 megawatts of energy annually.

According to officials, this is enough to power around 17,000 homes each year. 

RES already provides operations and maintenance services to the solar farm and has been its asset manager over the last year. 

The project has approval to run for 40 years and could easily be reversed back to farmland at the end of the operational life, officials say. 

The site was developed by Enso Energy and is owned by Cero Generation.

Robert Mattholie, head of solar and storage asset management, Northern Europe at RES said: “As the UK accelerates its shift to net-zero, projects like Larks Green underline the importance of integrating cutting-edge technologies with experienced partners to deliver sustainable energy solutions. 

“This project demonstrates the potential of co-located renewable energy and storage systems to strengthen the UK’s energy resilience. 

“We are delighted to partner with Cero Generation to ensure Larks Green operates efficiently and reliably, setting a benchmark for the future of renewable energy infrastructure." 

Marta Martinez Queimadelos, CEO of Cero Generation, said: “We’re proud to be driving innovation in the renewable energy sector with projects like Larks Green. 

“It’s also important that our projects benefit the communities around us. 

“We expect to deliver a 25% biodiversity net gain at Larks Green through strengthening hedgerows and supporting local employment. 

“By partnering with RES, a leader in asset management, we’re confident this site will serve as a cornerstone for the UK’s transition to a cleaner, more reliable energy future."