UK: Lightsource connects 50 MW of new solar capacity ahead of ROC deadline

Lightsource Renewable Energy, a leading developer of solar plants in Europe and beyond, has connected 14 solar plants totaling more than 50 MW of capacity at various sites across the U.K. well ahead of the March 31 deadline for Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs) at 1.2/MWh.

The completion of this flurry of projects sees Lightsource increase its portfolio of connected solar projects to more than 200, and includes four solar farms in Wales and one in Scotland.

Lightsource collaborated with EPCs Biosar, Egnatia and Grupotec to ensure that each of the 14 projects were delivered ahead of time and thus eligible to receive the 1.2 ROC subsidy from the U.K. government.

As far as projects developed by Lightsource go, these 14 were the final ones to be delivered under the 1.2 ROC scheme. However, in keeping with the firm’s recent business evolution, Lightsource is actively seeking to acquire new 1.2 ROC sites to add to its portfolio, the company confirmed.

“Our in-house development team has shown once again that anything is possible with the successful delivery of another round of challenging projects,” said Lightsource COO Kareen Boutonnat. “We have developed strong partnerships with trusted EPC contractors that understand our processes and consistently deliver in line with our own high standards.”

Lightsource confirmed that it is still hopeful of connecting additional 1.4 ROC projects this month, and is also working on building further large-scale solar farms in North Ireland, to be commissioned in 2018.

The U.K. solar market has been on the go-slow since policy changes effected by the Tory government have taken hold. These have included a drastic slashing of the FIT and a phasing down of the ROC scheme years ahead of schedule.