Tesco and Shell have struck a deal to take over the entire production of Cleve Hill solar farm, Britain’s largest solar project, which was initially planned to power 100,000 homes.
Under the agreement, 65% of the farm’s electricity will go to Tesco’s supermarkets, while Shell will manage the remaining 35% for its growing network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The solar park is expected to go online in early 2025.
The Cleve Hill project, located on 360 hectares on the Kent coast near Faversham, has been a source of controversy since its approval, with local opposition focusing on its impact on the Graveney Marshes, a site known for its wild animals. Despite protests, the project was given the green light by then-energy secretary Alok Sharma in 2020. The farm, once proposed as a solution to power local homes, is now being used to meet the demands of corporate giants.
Vicky Ellis from CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) Kent expressed his frustration, saying: “This project was approved on the basis that it would power homes, not petrol stations and supermarkets. The irony of a major supermarket and an oil giant profiting from a project billed as a green energy initiative is not lost on us.”
The project, funded by US-based Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, will include 560,000 solar panels, which will generate 373 megawatts (MW) of power – equivalent to half the output of a small gas-fired power plant. Some of the solar panels will be mounted on steel frames almost as high as a double-decker bus due to the flood risks in the area.
Tesco’s power purchase agreement with Cleve Hill will cover up to 10% of the UK’s electricity demand, helping the supermarket meet its sustainability targets. “The Cleve Hill solar farm, with its ability to generate up to 10% of our UK electricity demand, joins a number of other power purchase agreements we have announced over the past five years,” said Tesco CEO Ken Murphy.
Meanwhile, Shell’s share of production will support the UK’s EV charging network. With a ten-year agreement, Shell’s involvement underlines its ambitions in the renewable energy market, despite continued criticism of its nuclear oil activities. Shell Energy Europe’s head of energy trading, Rupen Tanna, stressed that sustainable energy deals such as Cleve Hill are essential to achieving the UK’s net zero targets.
The Cleve Hill solar farm is expected to be overshadowed by even larger projects approved by the UK government, including the 600MW Cottam solar farm in Lincolnshire. Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK, noted that the industry is aiming to triple solar capacity by 2030, stating: “We can expect more deals like this in the coming years as the industry scales up to 50 gigawatts of generation capacity.”
Despite the environmental benefits, Cleve Hill continues to spark debate. Ms Ellis and other critics argue that transforming the marshes into a commercial energy hub endangers the natural beauty and wildlife, undermining the original promise of green energy for local homes. As Britain races to expand renewable energy infrastructure, the tension between corporate interests, environmental sustainability and local communities remains an ongoing problem.