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Mega Solar Farm Powers Tesco & Shell, Angers Locals
12 Apr
Summary
- Britain's largest solar farm uses 550,000 panels.
- Energy will power Tesco supermarkets and Shell EV charging.
- Local residents express significant unhappiness and disruption.
Cleve Hill Solar Park, Britain's largest operational solar farm, has begun generating power near Faversham, Kent. Drone footage reveals the vast 900-acre site, equipped with 550,000 solar panels, each standing over 9 feet tall. The park has a capacity of 373 megawatts, sufficient to power 102,000 homes.
However, the energy produced will be primarily supplied to Tesco, powering up to 144 supermarkets, and Shell, for electric vehicle charging, following a 2024 deal. While the surplus enters the national grid, this corporate allocation has fueled local discontent.
Residents, particularly in the village of Graveney, have voiced strong opposition. Parish councillor Tom King stated there is "a lot of unhappiness in the community." Concerns include the disruption caused by construction, the loss of countryside, and the perceived inadequacy of the £500,000 community benefit fund.
Construction, which involved extensive piledriving and heavy vehicle traffic, concluded its final phase by June 2026. The "final phase" of the site's construction is set to be finished by June, with the array first becoming operational last year in 2025. Developers insist the project created jobs and funded local initiatives, while also implementing biodiversity programs aimed at enhancing natural habitats.
