We are pleased to announce that we have reached financial close on our 30MW Rayleigh Solar Farm in Essex, marking the fourth project to enter the construction phase in the last 12 months. The project represents a major milestone in our growing operational UK solar portfolio.

Senior debt has been provided by Rabobank, which we have partnered with on three other solar projects already under construction: Kemble, Burtree Lane and Grimsby. 

Rayleigh Solar Farm was awarded a Contract for Difference (CfD) under Allocation Round 6 (AR6), improving revenue certainty and contributing to the UK’s decarbonisation targets. This is the first of four projects with secured CfDs in AR6 to secure financing for construction.

Once operational, Rayleigh Solar Farm will generate enough clean electricity to power over 11,000 homes each year, displacing more than 13,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. The project also incorporates extensive landscaping and habitat enhancements, calculated to deliver a biodiversity net gain of over 130%.

Preparatory works will begin in early November 2025, starting with the construction of a new access road from the A127. Full-scale works are scheduled to commence in February 2026, led by Aura Power’s EPC and joint venture partner, ib vogt.

With Rayleigh Solar Farm reaching financial close, Aura Power now has 242 MWp of projects under construction across the UK, further cementing its position as a leading independent renewables developer.

Ali Timms, General Counsel at Aura Power, commented: “We are delighted to have reached financial close on the Rayleigh Solar Farm, which marks another important step in delivering our nearly 600MWp ready-to-build solar portfolio in the UK. Thanks to our financiers Rabobank and Investec, as well as our in-house team and partners for enabling us to realise this project.”

Burges Salmon acted as legal advisors for Aura Power,  building on their successful work on the financing of Kemble, Burtree Lane and Grimsby. 

Paul Graafland, Associate Director at Rabobank, said: “We’re delighted to back Aura Power in plugging more sunshine into the UK grid with already the fourth transaction in a row. With the UK charging ahead on renewables, this solar PV project is another bright step toward a cleaner, greener future — and we’re proud to help finance it".