Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) Submits Planning Appeal for Middle Fen Solar Farm, Cambridgeshire, UK
Middle Fen Solar and BESS. PACE UK Progresses Appeal to Planning Inspectorate
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) is moving forward with a planning appeal to the Planning Inspectorate for its Middle Fen Solar and BESS project in Fenland, Cambridgeshire, UK.
The project, located near March, would deliver up to 49.5 MW of clean solar generation and 30 MW of battery energy storage across a 110-hectare site, providing reliable, homegrown energy for 40 years.
PACE is confident in the strength of its case. The application was recommended for approval by Fenland District Council's own planning officers, and the appeal is supported by a robust package of new expert evidence, including agricultural, landscape and visual assessments, updated viewpoint analysis, and a landscape sensitivity review.
Rob Denman, Managing Director at PACE, said: "Middle Fen is the result of a collaborative development process. The layout has been significantly refined in response to feedback from external advisers, consultees, the council, and the local community, with important changes made to enhance landscape, ecological and public considerations following a successful consultation period."
The appeal is expected to be heard via Informal Hearing, and PACE looks forward to presenting its case to the Planning Inspectorate. We remain committed to working constructively with the Inspectorate, the Council, and local stakeholders as the project moves forward.
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) secures €100m facility from RGREEN INVEST to accelerate growth
Paris/London, June 23, 2026 - Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) announces it has secured a pivotal €100m convertible bond investment from INFRAGREEN V, the flagship infrastructure fund managed by RGREEN INVEST, a Paris-based independent investment management company specializing in financing the energy transition. This investment will accelerate the ongoing construction of PACE’s UK clean energy assets and the continued expansion of its development pipeline.
This investment builds on the strong and aligned partnership established with INFRAGREEN V in June 2025 and reflects the significant progress PACE has made in bringing its solar and battery energy storage projects through construction. It will support PACE’s evolution into an owner and operator of clean infrastructure helping finance the construction of nearly 400 MWp of solar and over 200MW of battery storage assets while advancing its broader clean infrastructure development pipeline including its clean data centre projects.
PACE’s UK clean energy pipeline includes 8 projects totalling 250MWp with secured inflation-linked Contracts for Difference (CfDs) through the UK Government’s latest Allocation Round 7 (AR7a).
The portfolio is underpinned by a co-location strategy combining solar PV and battery energy storage systems (BESS), with the proceeds of the financing primarily dedicated to the construction of these assets over the next two years.
Beyond its ready-to-build portfolio, PACE has a global development pipeline of more than 3 GW across the UK and international markets.
PACE’s pipeline will be delivered by its in-house engineering and asset management team. This internal construction principle retains in-depth asset understanding and knowledge resulting in enhanced operational performance.
Rob Denman, Managing Director at PACE said: “RGREEN INVEST’s continued commitment is a strong endorsement of what PACE has achieved since we began our partnership. We have transitioned from a development business into an active constructor and operator of clean energy assets, and this additional capital allows us to shift gears across our solar and co-located battery storage portfolio.
The UK’s clean infrastructure ambitions are substantial, and PACE’s permitted pipeline, experienced team and extensive construction programme puts us in an exceptional position to navigate delivery. Our UK and international developments put PACE at the forefront of the exciting and innovative clean infrastructure sector where the energy and digital sectors meet.
We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with RGREEN INVEST as we expand into further projects and opportunities.”
Nicolas Rochon, Founder & CEO of RGREEN INVEST: “PACE has demonstrated exactly the kind of disciplined execution and pipeline quality that merits our continued and increased support. Increasing our investment in PACE reflects our confidence in the team and our shared commitment to financial sustainability, the global energy transition and climate change.”
About Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE)
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) – a clean infrastructure developer and investor – was founded in 2017 and brings together some of the leading and most experienced figures in the clean energy and infrastructure sectors. Its team operates across the UK, continental Europe, Canada and New Zealand, backed by world-leading clean energy investors.
PACE brings together over 100 years and 5GW of clean energy experience with AI-integrated proprietary technology accelerating development and creating a platform for efficient in-house construction.
PACE’s understanding and management of the complete life cycle of a project provides a route to deploying capital at scale and across multiple international clean infrastructure markets
To find out more, visit www.pathfinderce.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
About RGREEN INVEST
RGREEN INVEST is a Paris-based investment management company, with over 15 years of experience financing the energy transition. B Corp-certified, and a mission-driven company, RGREEN INVEST brings European entrepreneurs in the industry a comprehensive tailored range of financial solutions, in both equity and debt, to support their growth.
RGREEN INVEST's purpose is to accelerate the energy transition, strengthen energy sovereignty and independence, and mitigate climate change while fostering adaptation. With 50 specialised and experienced professionals, RGREEN INVEST has already supported over 3,000 projects mainly in Europe amounting to more than €3.4 billion managed since inception.
To find out more, visit http://www.rgreeninvest.com/en or follow us on LinkedIn RGREEN INVEST
For all media inquiries regarding RGREEN INVEST:
Yoann Besse: yoann.besse@cdrgrayling.com and +33 (0)6 63 03 84 91
Delia Khedim: delia.khedim@cdrgrayling.com and +33 (0)6 14 69 76 38
For all media inquiries regarding PACE:
Tel. +44 (0)20 7127 4542 or press@pathfinderce.com
PACE Submits Planning Appeal for Wheatenhurst Solar Farm, Gloucestershire
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) has submitted a planning appeal to the Planning Inspectorate for Wheatenhurst Solar Farm, following the decision by Stroud District Council to refuse the application in December 2025.
The proposed development, located at Epney, Framilode in Gloucestershire, would deliver up to 49.5 MW of solar generation capacity across a 47-hectare site, with an operational lifespan of 40 years.
Stroud District Council’s Development Control Committee refused the application on four grounds, relating to the landscape and visual impact of the grid connection compound, biodiversity net gain, habitats regulations assessment, and construction traffic management. PACE maintains that the reasons for refusal reflect information gaps at the point of determination, influenced by the limited timeframe available for submission, rather than fundamental planning objections, and the additional technical evidence submitted with the appeal addresses each concern comprehensively.
The appeal submission includes an enhanced landscape and visual impact assessment, additional wintering bird survey data, a Shadow Habitats Regulations Assessment, a River Conditions Assessment, and a detailed Construction Traffic Management Plan - much of which was prepared and submitted to the Council prior to determination but was not accepted for consideration.
"The UK’s need for new renewable energy capacity is clear, and projects like Wheatenhurst have a genuine role to play in meeting it. We have worked hard to address the Council’s concerns and are confident the appeal evidence demonstrates that this is a well-designed scheme in an appropriate location."
Rob Denman, Managing Director, Pathfinder Clean Energy
The appeal is anticipated to be heard by an Inspector via Informal Hearing, subject to the discretion of the Inspectorate. PACE remains committed to engaging constructively with the Planning Inspectorate, the Council and local stakeholders throughout the appeal process.
One site. One team. Every part of the PACE business visits Three bridges Solar and BESS park
PACE Construction, the internal construction arm of Pathfinder Clean Energy, brought together teams from across the business including, development, finance, and legal on site at Three Bridges Solar Farm in Norfolk as the project advances through its electrical phase ahead of energisation.
The visit reflects PACE’s vertically integrated model, ensuring the teams responsible for developing, financing, and structuring projects are closely aligned with those delivering them on the ground.
Rob Denman, Managing Director at PACE said, “This is what vertical integration looks like in practice. When the people responsible for developing, financing, and structuring our projects stand on the same ground as the team building them, everyone makes better decisions. That alignment is a genuine competitive advantage.”
Bram Claeys, EPC Director at PACE said, “You learn things on site that you simply can’t get from a drawing. Having our development, finance, and legal teams walk the ground with us understanding the access, the sequencing, and the realities of construction, means the whole business is working from the same picture. That matters.”
Attlebrough Road Completes Panel Installation Ahead of Energisation
Back-to-Back: PACE Completes Panel Installation at Second 25 MWp Norfolk Solar Farm
PACE Construction completes structural phase at Attlebrough Road —the second major solar milestone in Norfolk in quick succession.
PACE Construction has completed the installation of all 35,235 solar panels at Attlebrough Road Solar Farm in Norfolk, marking the completion of the structural phase across the 79-acre site. The milestone follows the same achievement at PACE's nearby Three Bridges Solar Farm — with both 25 MWp projects reaching this stage in quick succession. Delivering two solar farms of equal scale simultaneously, in the same county, reflects PACE Construction's approach to accelerating the build-out of clean energy infrastructure. Attleborough Road will repurpose low-grade agricultural land to generate 25 MWp of clean solar power, forming part of PACE's growing UK renewable energy portfolio.
“The global energy picture is increasingly uncertain, and the case for domestic clean power has never been stronger. The UK cannot afford to be dependent on volatile international markets. Projects like Attlebrough Road and Three Bridges are part of the answer — home-grown, reliable clean energy delivered at the scale and pace the country needs.” - Rob Denman, Managing Director, Pathfinder Clean Energy
“Running two projects of this capacity concurrently in the same region is a serious logistical undertaking — and our teams have delivered on both. It’s a real statement of PACE’s capability: the people, the processes, and the programme management to execute at scale without compromising on quality or safety.” - Bram Claeys, EPC Director, PACE Construction
The project now moves into its electrical installation and commissioning phase, with energisation targeted later in 2026.
Three Bridges Solar Farm Completes Panel Installation Ahead of Energisation
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) is pleased to announce the completion of structural installation at its Three Bridges Solar Farm in Norfolk, with over 35,000 solar panels now in place across the 86-acre site. Delivered by PACE's internal construction team, the project combines 25 MWp of solar generation with a co-located 32.6 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), creating a hybrid renewable energy asset that will provide clean power and grid flexibility to the UK network.
Construction is now entering its final electrical installation and commissioning phase, with energisation targeted for later this year. Once operational, Three Bridges is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power approximately 9,000 UK homes annually, while avoiding an estimated 4,500 tonnes of CO₂e emissions every year.
Rob Denman, Managing Director of Pathfinder Clean Energy, said:
“Reaching this milestone at Three Bridges is a significant step forward for the project and reflects the excellent progress made by our construction team on site. Solar generation and battery storage working together is exactly the kind of clean, flexible infrastructure the UK needs.”
Bram Claeys, Business Development and EPC Director at PACE Construction, said:
“The successful completion of the structural installation at Three Bridges demonstrates PACE Construction’s expertise in delivering complex renewable energy projects to the highest standards. Our team has maintained an exemplary safety record throughout the construction phase while working efficiently to install over 35,000 solar panels across the site. This reflects the dedication of our skilled workforce and our commitment to technical excellence in every aspect of the build. We’re proud to be delivering this important renewable infrastructure for Norfolk and contributing to the UK’s clean energy future.”
Pathfinder Clean Energy UK Secures Approval for 140 MWp Thurleigh Road Solar
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) has secured planning approval for its 49.9 MW Thurleigh Road Solar Farm in Bedfordshire, designed with an installed capacity of 140 MWp, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of new clean energy infrastructure in the UK.
The solar farm will be co-located with PACE’s previously consented Thurleigh Road Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), creating a highly efficient, integrated renewable energy hub.
By sharing grid infrastructure across both developments, the project will provide flexibility and reduce long term grid management costs, delivering efficiencies for the grid operator and ultimately helping to reduce costs for consumers.
Rob Denman, Managing Director at PACE, said:
“Securing planning for this innovative project is a significant milestone for PACE, combining substantial solar generation and BESS in a highly connected location in central England.
This success alongside strong results for PACE UK in Allocation Round 7a and continued progress through grid reform and pipeline permitting are clear indicators of the momentum we are building.
Our focus remains on delivering clean infrastructure that provides energy at scale while creating a platform for innovation, energy security and sustainable growth in the countries in which we operate. Thurleigh Road is a key part of that UK strategy.
Our internal construction team, PACE EPC, will now progress the project toward construction, targeting grid connection in 2027.”
PACE secures CfDs for 168 MW of UK solar in Allocation Round 7a
PACE is delighted to announce that it has secured Contracts for Difference (CfD) for 168 MW of solar PV capacity across eight projects in the UK Government’s Allocation Round 7a. Projects were awarded within Pot 1 at a strike price of £65.23/MWh (2024 prices).
The outcome of AR7a was published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on the 10th of February 2026, marking a powerful endorsement of PACE’s clean energy pipeline and its contribution to the UK’s net-zero transition.
The awards provide long-term revenue certainty across a significant portfolio of utility-scale solar projects and reflect the strength and maturity of PACE’s late-stage development pipeline.
Across Allocation Round 7a, nearly 4.9 GW of solar capacity was awarded nationally, demonstrating continued investor confidence in UK solar and the role of established technologies in supporting the country’s energy security and decarbonisation objectives.
Rob Denman, CEO of Pathfinder Clean Energy, said:
“PACE is delighted to have secured CfDs for eight projects totalling 168 MW of capacity, positioning us as one of the leading clean energy companies in the UK’s Allocation Round 7a.”
“Our internal construction team - PACE EPC - is already in construction on two of these projects with the commercial operations date in mid-2026. The remaining are scheduled to follow in 2027.”
“This endorses our strategy to bring in-house expertise across the complete asset lifecycle - development, construction and operation - to manage risk and drive the best results for the projects and the markets in which we operate.”
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How CfDs work by Solar Energy UK
The key function of CfDs is to reduce the risk of volatile prices hitting consumers and damaging investor confidence. It thus lowers the cost of capital and in turn energy bills, while the clean generation it secures helps push expensive natural gas off the grid.
The system uses competitive bidding to keep down the cost of support for renewable energy, with operators being paid a fixed amount regardless of the prevailing price for wholesale power. When wholesale electricity prices are below the agreed strike price, operators receive top-up payments from consumers. When wholesale prices exceed the strike price, operators pay the difference back, reducing the ‘policy costs’ applied to bills.
Mace Construct partners with clean infrastructure company PACE to advance sustainable AI data centres in the UK
Mace Construct, one of the UK’s top construction firms, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with clean infrastructure developer and investor Pathfinder Clean Energy Limited (PACE).
PACE has a portfolio of secured clean power able to supply 168MW of IT capacity. Power availability is expected to come online as early as 2027, and data capacity following from 2028.
The partnership will see Mace Construct engaged at the earliest stages of these projects – RIBA Stage 0: Strategic Definition. The agreement incentivises collaboration as each project progresses from initial conception through to execution.
PACE expects the initial three sites to enter construction in 2026. These sites are strategically positioned in high-demand regions with secured grid capacity, specifically the Southeast, West Midlands and West of England. The sites are being developed to support ‘latency-sensitive’ applications such as high-performance computing and AI.
Once built, the facilities will be powered through ‘direct wire’ renewable power generation and energy storage from the outset, creating the foundation for scalable, energy-backed digital infrastructure.
Alister Grey, Managing Director for Technology & Manufacturing, Mace Construct, said:
“We take pride in collaboration, providing construction expertise and early engagement, that allows us to optimise design and build outcomes, bringing best-in-class value to our clients. It’s great to use our decades of experience delivering some of the biggest and most complex data centres in Europe, to provide advice on these projects and deliver them on site. I am confident that this will be a long-term successful partnership that will drive sustainability in an energy intensive sector”.
Rob Denman, CEO of PACE Group, said:
“Power and sovereignty are the defining challenges of the data centre industry today, and sites that can secure a fast and reliable energy connection, will be those that succeed. PACE Group has a portfolio of over 1.2GW of clean energy projects with near-term grid connections across the UK, and further assets internationally.
By working with Mace Construct across these three lead sites, bringing over 168MW of clean-powered compute into operation, our combined capabilities position us as leaders in this emerging sector where clean energy and sustainable compute come together.
Through combining our experience in developing and constructing clean infrastructure and utilising Mace Construct’s industry-leading data centre delivery experience, we will lay the foundation for the next generation of digital infrastructure for AI and high-performance computing in the UK.
This is an exciting time for PACE as we bring forward the urgent data centre capacity in the markets where it is needed most - UK and internationally”.
Pathfinder Clean Energy welcomes Lucille De Silva as General Counsel
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) is pleased to announce that Lucille De Silva has joined the company as General Counsel. In this role, she will lead PACE’s legal function and support the company’s global growth and delivery across clean infrastructure.
Lucille brings more than 30 years of international experience in energy and infrastructure, covering project development, financing, and M&A. She has advised on major clean energy and low-carbon projects worldwide, including large-scale solar, wind, storage, grid infrastructure, and corporate power procurement initiatives.
Her expertise spans every stage of the project lifecycle — from structuring and financing to regulatory frameworks, subsidy mechanisms, and power purchase agreements - as well as the growing intersection between clean energy and digital infrastructure.
Rob Denman, Managing Director of PACE, commented:
“We are thrilled to welcome Lucille to PACE. Her exceptional legal expertise and global experience across clean energy and infrastructure will be invaluable as we expand our portfolio of innovative projects worldwide. Lucille’s leadership ensures that our legal and commercial capabilities remain world-class as we deliver the next generation of clean infrastructure.”