Centrica turns sod on 18MW solar

• Codford PV project in Wiltshire in England will be completed by the summer

Building is underway on an 18MW solar farm in Wiltshire, England, which forms part of Centrica's plans to build a 650MW solar portfolio by 2026.

The 18MW Codford Solar Farm, near Warminster, was acquired in 2021 and obtained Centrica financial investment authorization in December.

Neighborhood MP Andrew Murrison visited the site on 22 April to help set up among the very first solar panel racks, on which the 33,000 panels will be installed.

The solar farm is expected to be complete by the summer.

In late 2021, Centrica Business Solutions introduced aspirations to provide 900MW of solar and battery storage space by 2026.

Codford will be the very first solar farm completed as part of those purposes and follows the acquisition of a 30MW battery storage plant in Dyce, Scotland.

Murrison said: "Renewables are an important aspect of the drive to net zero, minimizing the UK's reliance on geopolitically tough parts of the world, promoting self-sufficiency as well as advancing the economic situation."

Costs Rees, supervisor of Centrica Energy Assets, stated: "Centrica has committed to reaching net zero by 2045 and also this marks a vital turning point in the company's drive to tackle the results of climate change.

" We need to make full use of the natural deposits offered to us in order to provide a clean, green, renewable energy future for the UK."

Push Energy is developing the solar farm alongside Centrica.

Amit Oza, primary industrial policeman at Push Energy, stated: "Push is pleased to be delivering the Codford Solar Farm for Centrica as it embarks on its enthusiastic solar generation plans.

" This project is an example of the collaboration in between the two firms at work as we collaborate to establish, develop, and run brand-new solar capacity at scale."