The largest operational solar photovoltaic power station in the United Kingdom. The project has an installed capacity of 373 megawatt peak DC.
Location and Grid Connection
The project is located on the north Kent coast near Faversham. Electricity is exported directly to the United Kingdom transmission network through the 400 kV Cleve Hill National Grid substation, originally built for the London Array offshore wind farm.
Planning Status
Cleve Hill was the first solar and battery development approved under the United Kingdom Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project planning framework.
Solar Installation
More than 550,000 photovoltaic modules are installed.
Total solar capacity is 373 megawatt peak DC.
The site covers about 900 acres, approximately 360 hectares.
Battery Energy Storage System
The project includes a 150 megawatt battery energy storage system with 300 megawatt hour capacity.
Project Value
Total project value is widely reported at approximately £450 million.
Project Developer
The project was developed by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners.
Debt Financing
Total project debt is £238.5 million.
£218.5 million term loan facility.
£20 million VAT facility.
Debt providers are Lloyds Bank and NatWest.
Estimated Capital Allocation
Solar photovoltaic plant and shared infrastructure approximately £363 million, about 81 percent of total project cost.
Battery energy storage system approximately £87 million, about 19 percent of total project cost.
Financing Timeline
Solar photovoltaic financing closed in August 2024.
Battery energy storage financing closed in March 2025.
Revenue Structure
15 year Contract for Difference awarded in Allocation Round 4.
15 year corporate power purchase agreement with Tesco covering about 65 percent of generation.
Route to market agreement with Shell Energy for remaining electricity sales.