Cero Generation has reached financial close on a 360MW portfolio of three UK solar and battery energy storage (BESS) projects.
Cero, alongside its partner Enso Energy, has secured a £200m financing package from a consortium of lenders including ING, NordLB, Rabobank and Santander. The financing includes an accordion facility to accommodate future projects.
The three initial solar-BESS projects, developed by Enso Energy, have a total installed capacity of 360MW, with a further pipeline of projects earmarked for the portfolio.
With financing secured, construction is due to begin on the Bramley project, a 115MW co-located solar and storage plant. The portfolio also includes two other near-term solar-BESS projects with a combined capacity of 245MW.
The financing was structured as a Green Loan, with all three projects achieving alignment with the EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities. This confirms that the projects meet environmental and social criteria and make a demonstrable contribution to climate change mitigation.
For the Bramley project, EDF will provide optimisation for the battery and route-to-market services for the solar PV. LONGi is supplying the solar modules, while Sungrow is delivering the battery energy storage systems. Metlen has been appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, with Omexom as grid works contractor.
Cero said approximately 80 people will be involved in constructing the solar and BESS projects, leading to the creation of jobs and economic opportunities during the construction phase.
The company is also launching a £50,000 community fund to deliver benefits to local people.
Cero chief executive Marta Martinez Queimadelos said: “This milestone reflects our continued commitment to UK solar and our ambition to deliver projects that meet the highest environmental standards, including EU Taxonomy alignment.
“We are proud to be working with such experienced partners across development, financing, and delivery, and we thank them for their critical contributions to these projects. Together, we are accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system.”
Enso Energy managing director Bill Rees added: “The UK urgently needs flexible, clean energy infrastructure, and this portfolio – totalling 360MW of co-located solar and storage – represents a major step forward.
“It’s exciting for us at Enso Energy to see these sites that we developed reach this important milestone. It shows what’s possible when you combine deep development expertise with a shared commitment to sustainability, community benefit and technical ambition.”
