Swiss energy producer Axpo has signed a ten-year deal with British Solar Renewables (BSR) to buy power from BSR’s solar power plant in Wiltshire.
Axpo has agreed to purchase all metered output from BSR’s 25MW Whaddon Farm solar PV power plant, which also features a 16MWh co-located battery energy storage system (BESS). The ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) is the first that Axpo and BSR have signed together, and the agreement will enable Axpo to trade this energy on the UK wholesale market.
In addition, BSR has contracted Flextricity to optimize the BESS through a tailor-made trade agreement between Axpo and Flextricity. Axpo states that this optimization agreement will ensure that accurate settlement takes place between the boundary meter and the BESS asset meter, preventing loss of value between the solar offtake and the dynamic optimization of the BESS.
Tim Humpage, CEO of British Solar Renewables, said: “We are pleased to offer Axpo the opportunity to deliver clean energy solutions to their customers. Their commitment to a low-carbon future is closely aligned with ours, and this initiative plays a crucial role in advancing Britain’s position as a clean energy leader, supporting the Government’s ambitious target to cut emissions by 81% by 2035.”
Axpo UK senior originator Rob Bullyment added: “This agreement with BSR is an important step in the development of our UK business, supporting customers on their sustainability journey.”
Andy Lowe, CEO of Flexitricity, commented: “This collaboration is a great example of how innovative partnerships can contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system and support the National Energy System Operator’s Clean Power 2030 ambitions.”
BSR’s success continues
This latest deal follows a year of success for BSR in 2024, with a number of solar PV plants receiving approval throughout the year.
At the end of May, BSR announced that it had been granted planning permission for a 21 MW solar power plant in Suffolk, BSR’s second development in Suffolk to gain consent that year. Just weeks later, Maldon District Council granted BSR planning permission for the 19 MW Dengie Solar Park in Essex, which is expected to start construction in early 2025. In December 2024, another BSR project in Essex also received planning permission, the 49.9 MW Knowl Green Solar. Park.
In June 2024, BSR closed its first portfolio financing on five assets built or under construction in the UK and Australia, financed by Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Lloyds Bank.
