Project Overview

Cleve Hill Solar Park is a hybrid solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) park situated on the North Kent Coast. It is a 373 MW solar and 150 MW battery storage project constructed by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners. Cleve Hill Solar Park was the first solar and battery storage project to be consented as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). 

It is built at a project cost of GBP 218.5 million (USD 283 million), term loan + GBP 20 million VAT facility. Cleve Hill solar and battery storage project became fully operational with its 373 MW DC capacity on 1st July 2025 and supplies clean power to over 102,000 homes, fulfilling 0.7% of the United Kingdom's national power demand. 

Project Background

The Cleve Hill Solar Park was announced back on 28th May 2020 by the joint venture Hive Energy and WIRSOL Energy as the United Kingdom's largest solar park by Hive Energy and WIRSOL Energy joint venture. Later, in September 2021, Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners acquired the Cleve Hill solar-plus-storage site in Kent.

The project was renamed as Project Fortress. The acquisition took place due to the opposition faced by the joint venture from the public and an attempt by Swale Borough Council to get its development consent overturned. 

Since the capacity of the solar park exceeds 50 MW, the project is classified as an NSIP project and was awarded the development consent by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in May 2020. The project became operational on 1st July 2025. 

Project Scope

The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract was awarded to Greek-based Mytilineos Energy and Metals at a contract value of GBP 114 million. The ITPEnergised Technology supported the HV electrical design of the project and the National Grid connection application process. In July 2022, a 15-year Contract for Difference (CfD) was signed for the project.

Burroughs was hired by the Private Energy Partners Ltd (which is part of Quinbrook's development team) during the pre-construction phase of Cleve Hill Solar Park, which provided drainage design, 3D modelling, and track design, which helped identify technical problems early in the project. While Gateley Hamer supported the land workstream, including land acquisition, DCO (Development Consent Order).

Cleve Hill Solar Park Location

The Cleve Hill Solar Park is situated on the North Kent Coast, located one mile northeast of Faversham, three miles west of Whitstable, and is located close to the Graveney village. 

Cleve Hill Solar Park Cost

The project financing for Cleve Hill combines a GBP 218.5 million (USD 283 million) term loan with a GBP 20 million VAT facility. According to Quinbrook, this investment for the project was funded in two tranches with term loans for the solar PV completed in August 2024, while the BESS facility was agreed in March 2025. 

The Cleve Hill Solar project received a financial close on 17th March 2025. Lloyds and NatWest banks are the investors of this UK solar project. The EPC contract was signed with Mytilineos Energy and Metals, valued at GBP 114 million.

Cleve Hill Solar Park Timeline

Technical Specifications

Cleve Hill Solar Park Contractors, Investors, and Pre-Construction

Benefits

Solar Power for Homes: Cleve Hill Solar Park provides clean energy through solar power sufficient to power about 102,000 homes. 

Dedicated Habitat Area: The project includes a dedicated habitat management area of 56 hectares for 138 bird species, including Lapwing, Brent Goose, Golden Plover, and Marsh Harrier. This is expected to achieve a 65% increase in biodiversity.

Conclusion

Cleve Hill Solar Park is a 373 MW solar plus battery integrated project in the Kent region. Constructed by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, the Cleve solar park is commissioned on 1st July 2025. It was the first solar and battery storage project consented as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

It supplies power to 102,000 homes and fulfils 0.7% of the United Kingdom's national power demand. It is built at a project cost of GBP 218.5 million (USD 283 million), term loan + GBP 20 million VAT facility. Thus, Cleve Hill solar park is one of the largest solar park in the United Kingdom that supports clean electricity and reduces reliance on fossil fuel based energy.

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