300MW from five solar sites in England 

Renewables provider Sonnedix starts construction of new solar PV portfolio across five sites to be completed by early 2025. 

Combined, the project is expected to produce some 300MW of clean, renewable energy, or 300,000 MWh per year. That’s enough to power some 85,000 UK homes and save the equivalent of 58,000 metric tonnes of CO2 each year. 

(Megawatts (MW) are used to measure the maximum power-generating capacity of a system; Megawatt hours (MWh) are used to measure the amount of energy generated.)  

Photo by Mariana Proença

Five ground-mounted solar parks will be built by Ameresco and Sunel Energy Ltd, working with global renewables company Sonnedix. The sites chosen are Cowley Complex in County Durham (which is expected to generate 120MW), Gonerby Solar in Lincolnshire (59MW), Winkburn Solar Farm in Nottinghamshire (50.5MW), Gammaton Solar Farm in north Debon (30MW) and Lawns Solar Farm in Lancashire (23.5MW).  

Sonnedix acquired the assets in December 2022 but the project contract was awarded in September 2023 through the government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation round. This scheme enables a fixed price for electricity through 15-year contracts via the Low Carbon Contracts Company. 

Britta MacIntosh, Executive Vice President and General Manager for West/Europe at Ameresco, says: ‘We are thrilled to partner and collaborate with Sunel and Sonnedix to deliver positive clean energy results that will benefit so many individuals across the UK. Solar energy solutions are a critical part of the clean energy transition, and we are so happy to work with partners who feel just as passionately about tackling decarbonisation goals.’ 

Axel Thiemann, CEO of Sonnedix, adds: ‘We could not be more excited about beginning construction on these monumental solar projects, which will significantly enhance the UK’s overall supply of clean energy and energy security. Tackling decarbonisation is not a one-person job; it requires action and effort among many groups, and we are delighted to work with Ameresco and Sunel, who we know have a track record of successful clean energy projects. Once completed, we feel confident that our solar portfolio will help the UK reach its target of reaching net zero by 2050.’ 

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