Lark Energy Teams Up With Armstrong Energy To Deliver 30MW Of Solar Farms

Lark Energy has partnered with Armstrong Energy on the development and construction of three solar farm projects in the Lincolnshire and Rutland area totalling 30MW.

The three projects are: 5.7MWp in Bourne, Lincolnshire; 14MWp in Burton Pedwardine, Lincolnshire; 9MWp at Hansen Cement's Ketton Works in Rutland.

Lark Energy has developed all three projects and is also providing the EPC and O&M services. Armstrong Energy has acquired the project rights and is providing the finance.

The solar farm at Limes Farm in Bourne was completed and commissioned before the end of March 2013.  It consists of some 19,760 panels and will produce enough energy to power 1,450 homes per year.

The first 9MW phase of the Burton Pedwardine project is now nearing completion and will connect to the grid in November.  It will be followed by a further 4.4MW early in the new year. When completed, the solar farm, which utilises low grade agricultural land, will produce enough electricity to power over 3,360 homes.

The third project is on brownfield land at Hanson's Ketton Cement Works in Rutland. Construction started in October and most of the energy produced will be used by the works itself.  Jonathan Selwyn, Managing Director of Lark Energy said "These projects provide significant new clean energy capacity on the local electricity network.  All three projects had the support of the local authority and the wider community. The Ketton project is notable for its brownfield location and significant on-site energy use. We remain optimistic about the long term prospects for the UK's large scale solar sector and these projects demonstrate Lark Energy's comprehensive service offering from development through construction to long term operation and maintenance of the plant. We are delighted to have teamed up with Armstrong Energy for the financing of these projects. We have worked successfully with them on previous projects and look forward to working with them on further projects over the coming months."

Steve Mahon, Director of Armstrong Energy said "These projects further demonstrate our ability to deliver energy infrastructure investments that provide inflation-proof income to investors. Our partnership with Lark Energy is a good example of our approach, which is to build long term trusted relationships that repeatedly deliver value for all parties, be they suppliers or investors. We hold Lark Energy in the highest regard for the quality, honesty and pragmatism of their team."