Taiyo Power & Storage (Taiyo), a joint venture between Kajima and Low Carbon Alliance, has sold its 37.3 Megawatts (MW) greenfield solar project in East Devon at “Ready-to-Build” stage, to Infinis Solar Developments Limited.
Ford Oaks is expected to produce 37.9GWh of renewable energy per year and bring approximately 45 hectares of green infrastructure improvements, including tree and hedgerow planting. Situated next to the A30, close to Exeter Airport and approximately four miles east of Exeter city centre, the approved scheme, which will be built across 58 hectares of land, will help power 18,500 homes and offset 25,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
With planning consent in place, the scheme is expected to start producing energy by 2026.
Ford Oaks will positively contribute towards the climate emergency by aligning with the Devon County Green Infrastructure Strategy, the Devon Climate Declaration and government targets to increase solar power capacity to 50GW by 2030. The scheme is forecast to deliver a substantial biodiversity net gain of 121% against a national target of 10%, enhancing wildlife in the valley and reducing existing flooding issues.
Since its inception in 2021, Taiyo has been developing a portfolio of ground-mounted solar and battery energy storage facilities across the UK. This initiative aims to align with the UK Government’s pledge to achieve a net zero carbon footprint by 2050 and to fulfil Kajima’s objective to develop 3.5GW of renewable energy projects across Europe over the next five years.
Chris Gill, Director at Taiyo Power & Storage and Investment Director & Head of Renewables at Kajima, said: “As our first project to achieve planning consent, the subsequent sale of Ford Oaks represents a key milestone in our strategy to deliver renewable energy across the UK. We are committed to developing additional solar energy assets to enhance the UK’s renewable energy capacity in the coming years. This
will help local communities and the nation achieve greater climate resilience while contributing to more affordable energy bills.”
Simon Crowe, Director at Taiyo Power & Storage and Managing Director at Low Carbon Alliance, said: “Solar power is a critical component to the decarbonisation of the grid and to achieving our net zero goals. This project will produce 37.9GWh of renewable energy per year. Furthermore, we are proud to contribute to tackling the UK’s biodiversity crisis, with an impressive 121% biodiversity net gain. Solar farms contribute to a better, more sustainable future, providing low-cost energy independence and security.”
Andrew Leeding, Director of Development and Construction at Infinis, said: “Once completed, Ford Oaks will provide clean, secure energy to around 18,500 homes, and continue our work supporting the UK’s journey to net zero. Infinis has built, owned and operated renewable projects all around the UK since 2007. Our track record proves that we’re in this for the long-term. We are keen to engage with local communities – both during the construction and operational phases of the project – to minimise any impacts and identify local initiatives that we may be able to support going forward.”
ENDS
The approved plans can be seen at www.fordoakssolarnature.co.uk.
About Taiyo Power & Storage
Taiyo Power & Storage is a joint venture between Kajima and Low Carbon Alliance. Born out of a desire of the stakeholder partners to affect environmental change through innovation, leadership, and creativity. With projects across the United Kingdom, Taiyo develops both solar power farms and battery storage units.
The UK Government’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050 brings about a pressing need to increase renewable energy sources by up to five times current levels. While this energy transition is well underway, there is still much to do in order to decarbonise our National Grid. It is a challenging target, but it is one which is bringing change, opportunity, and excitement to the energy market. Through Taiyo’s collective experience and expertise, we have a unity of purpose and the strength to drive this change towards net zero.
Website: https://taiyo2050.co.uk/
About Kajima Europe
Kajima Europe is a pan-European real asset investor, developer and manager with a portfolio of around £10 billion assets under management (AUM), as well as a general contractor. From homes to hospitals, learning spaces to working places, civic buildings to care facilities, Kajima shapes places around the people who use them.
Headquartered in London, Kajima Europe aims to identify investment opportunities on a project-by-project basis, benefitting from the significant resources of its parent company (Kajima Corporation) and collaborating with existing and new partners to develop, invest and enhance equity in a diverse range of assets.
Kajima works across six key sectors: offices, logistics, residential, social infrastructure, regeneration and renewable energy, partnering with public sector bodies and private investors. Key recent developments include the rapid growth of Kajima’s logistics business with new sites in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland and Spain.
Alongside its existing construction arms in Poland and the Czech Republic, Kajima launched a new office for real estate business in Warsaw in 2022. It has also set up a renewable energy developer, PAD RES, in a joint venture with Griffin Capital Partners.
Last year PAD RES sold a 35MW photovoltaic farm in Greater Poland Voivodeship to ENEA Group, expected to produce more than 38.5GWh annually in its first years of operation, providing clean energy for approximately 19,000 households.
Website: https://kajima.co.uk/
About Low Carbon Alliance
Low Carbon Alliance is a specialist consultancy, supporting clients and partners in identifying and delivering net zero strategies to decarbonize the National Grid and commercial property sectors.
Our specialist renewable energy development team provides operational management services including site origination, land negotiation, grid consultancy, planning, and project developments to help our partners achieve carbon neutrality.
For investors in property and businesses, we provide services that will help mitigate the risk and protect the value of your property portfolio. From pre-acquisition carbon and energy due diligence to ongoing performance, monitoring, and developing net zero pathways for assets and portfolios.
Website: https://lowcarbonalliance.co.uk/
About Infinis
Infinis is the UK’s leading generator of renewable electricity from captured methane. Headquartered in Northampton, the company operates from 137 sites accross the UK generating 1TWh of renewable and low carbon electricity from captured methane, flexible generation and solar. Its operations annually offset the equivalent CO2 emissions of more than 1.1 million UK households.
Infinis has an operational asset base of 0.5GWs and is developing and constructing more than 1 gigawatt (GW) of new solar and battery storage projects.
Website: https://www.infinis.com
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