Centrica’s solar farm to provide clean energy for Vodafone
Centrica has opened its first major solar asset in Wiltshire, UK, as part of plans to build out a portfolio of flexible energy assets.
Renewable energy powering Vodafone
Half of the electricity output from the solar farm is due to be purchased by Vodafone, to help support its development and bring additional renewable power provision to the UK Grid. This deal, combined with others, add up to around 47% of the company’s annual energy requirement coming from UK-based renewable power sources by 2025.
The long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — the third PPA signed by Vodafone and Centrica Energy Marketing & Trading over the last year — will see approximately 9GWh of green electricity dedicated to Vodafone UK, with the remainder will be sold into the national grid through Centrica’s Energy Marketing & Trading business.
“Achieving net zero for our UK operations by 2027 is a critical part of our company strategy, and making our network as energy efficient as possible, and powering it sustainably, play a key role,” Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer and chair of Vodafone’s Net Zero Steerco shares.
“We already use 100% renewable electricity, and we’re committed to supporting the development of UK renewables. Thanks to power purchase agreements like this one, a significant proportion of our energy requirement will be generated in the UK by 2025. Such agreements also bring additional renewable power to the UK grid, and so are good for the country too.”
The global energy transition
Codford Solar Farm is the first newly built solar farm owned and operated by Centrica. Made up of 33,000 panels, the project has a total capacity of 18MW and should produce 19GWh of green electricity every year, enough to power some 4,850 homes.
“Centrica is a uniquely integrated energy company well positioned to both drive, and benefit from, the energy transition,” says Chris O'Shea, CEO, Centrica.
“I’m delighted that we’re now back building assets, focussing on clean electricity generation and storage.
“We’ve rapidly built a reputation as a leading player in European energy markets, supporting grid operators with sourcing the power they need to maintain a secure supply and supporting organisations such as Vodafone to help reach its net zero ambitions.”
Centrica aims to deliver 900MW of low carbon assets by 2026, alongside its commitment to reach Net Zero by 2045 and for its customers by 2050. Among the company’s clean energy solutions are battery storage projects at former gas peaking plants at Brigg, Lincolnshire, Knapton, North Yorkshire, and Ostend in Belgium.
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