New 72-acre solar farm in Wiltshire to power almost 5,000 homes

Power generation is already underway at the Codford Solar Farm, Centrica’s first newly-built solar farm in the UK, under the company’s plans to build out a portfolio of flexible energy assets.  

Wiltshire has the UK's second-highest number of solar farms, with Eden Renewables planning to build a large one between Kington St Michael and the A350, just south of the M4, to power 15,000 homes.

Construction at Codford began at the site in April 2022, after the consent was acquired by Centrica Business Solutions in 2021.

Chris O'Shea, Centrica's chief executive officer (right), visits Codford Solar Farm. Photo: Centrica (Image: Freelancer)

Made up of 33,000 panels, the project has a total capacity of 18 megawatts and should produce 19GWh of green electricity every year, enough to power some 4,850 homes.

The deal not only brings additional renewable power provision to the UK grid but supports the UK government’s ambition to focus on home-grown renewable energy to boost long-term energy independence and security.

Chris O’Shea, Centrica’s chief executive officer, said: “Centrica is a uniquely integrated energy company well positioned to both drive, and benefit from, the energy transition.

"I’m delighted that we’re now back building assets, focussing on clean electricity generation and storage.  

“That integration stretches from the construction of new generating assets such as Codford to the movement of power across Europe and 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.”

In late 2021, Centrica announced ambitions to deliver 900MW of low carbon assets by 2026. The company has committed to reach Net Zero by 2045 and for its customers by 2050. 

Some of the 33,000 solar panels at Codford Solar Farm. Photo: Centrica (Image: Centrica)

Vodafone will purchase half of the electricity output from the Codford Solar Farm, helping to support its development and bringing additional renewable power provision to the UK Grid.

Combined with agreements already in place, around 47 per cent of the company’s annual energy requirement will come from UK-based renewable power sources by 2025.

The long-term Power Purchase Agreement will see approximately 9GWh of green electricity dedicated to Vodafone UK. The remainder will be sold into the national grid through Centrica’s Energy Marketing & Trading business. 

The PPA agreeement is the company's third since 2022.

Andrea Dona, chief network officer and chair of Vodafone’s Net Zero Steerco, said: “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.

“We already use 100 per cent 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.”

Chris Skidmore MP, chair of the Net Zero Review & Mission Zero Report, said, “I am proud to be a part of the opening of Codford solar power plant, which is pioneering British clean energy solutions.

“This site has the capacity to generate over 18 megawatts of clean energy, which is enough to power 5,000 homes and is a prime example of what we need to achieve our net zero goals.

“Our journey to net zero has already started and by opening this plant we are taking an important step forward towards unlocking the opportunities it will bring.”