Severn Trent Green Power unveils plans to build three new solar farms

Severn Trent Green Power (STGP) has unveiled plans to build three new large-scale solar farms, with the possibility of a fourth, which aim to generate enough green electricity to power around 70,000 homes a year.

The company has signed a development rights agreement with international solar company Elgin Energy that will see STGP increase its total renewable energy production from approximately 350 GWh per year to approximately 500 GWh.

The new solar farms in Leicestershire, Warwickshire and North Yorkshire are expected to add around 150GWh of energy to the national grid each year, rising to more than 185GWh once a fourth solar farm comes online in Shropshire.

The projects are said to be “ready to go” and already include grid connection agreements, planning consents and land leases that will enable STGP to build, own and operate the solar farms.

In addition to managing 33 solar panels, currently generating 16 GWh per year, STGP also uses anaerobic digestion and in-tank composting to convert food and garden waste into green gas and electricity, while also producing by-products such as biofertilisers for use in agriculture.

“While anaerobic digestion remains our core business, we see significant potential in solar, wind and hydro,” said Farryad Ishaq, the company’s director of strategy and business development. “This agreement represents a major step forward in our ambition to drive the UK towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

Renewable energy plays a significant role in parent company Severn Trent’s Triple Carbon Pledge, which aims to reduce the group’s carbon footprint – which also includes Severn Trent Water, Severn Trent Services, Severn Trent Connect and water company Hafren Dyfrdwy – to zero, adopt a company-wide electric fleet and run on 100% renewable energy by 2030.

Ronan Kilduff, CEO of Elgin, said the company’s latest partnership embodies their shared commitment to a low-carbon future. “We are proud to support Severn Trent Green Power as it moves towards a diverse renewable energy portfolio,” he said.

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