Pathfinder Clean Energy reaches FID and commences construction of 25MWp solar park in Norfolk, UK
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) is pleased to announce it has reached Final Investment Decision (FID) on its Attleborough Road solar project, marking another key milestone in its growing UK pipeline. The project will now progress into the construction phase.
Located on 79 acres of leased low-grade agricultural land near Attleborough, Norfolk, the site will deliver a 25 MWp solar PV installation, representing another high-quality, low-carbon energy asset developed under PACE’s UK strategy.
Rob Denman, Managing Director of PACE, said: ‘’With FID now reached, the Attleborough Road project moves confidently into construction. It is another example of our development-to-delivery capability across hybrid and utility-scale solar assets,” said Rob Denman, Managing Director of Pathfinder Clean Energy.
“It follows the FID on the Three Bridges hybrid solar and storage asset and marks another step toward delivering resilient, decentralised energy infrastructure in line with UK net-zero ambitions".
A Lean, Grid-Ready Solar Asset
The project achieved grid acceptance with UK Power Networks (UKPN) and has completed Milestone M7 under CMP435. With a 33kV export connection, it will deliver 18 MWac export capacity, supported by Power Electronics central inverters and high-efficiency N-type bifacial modules.
PACE's in-house team will manage construction execution, with performance testing and full energisation scheduled through summer 2026.
Pathfinder Clean Energy reaches FID and commences construction of 25MWp solar and 15MW/32MWh BESS park in Norfolk, UK
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) is pleased to announce it has reached Final Investment Decision (FID) on its Three Bridges solar and battery energy storage project, marking a significant milestone in its UK development portfolio. The project will now move into the construction phase.
Set across 86 acres of low-grade agricultural land in Norfolk, the Three Bridges project combines 25 MWp of solar PV with a co-located 32.6 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), delivering a hybrid asset designed for clean, flexible and resilient energy delivery.
‘This is another example of our strategy to bring high-quality clean energy assets into construction, with full alignment between our development, delivery, and investment teams.” said Rob Denman, Managing Director of Pathfinder Clean Energy
‘As the UK energy market continues its transition, hybrid projects like Three Bridges form a vital part of delivering energy security, decarbonisation, and grid resilience. With construction imminent, PACE is poised to bring another high-performing clean energy asset online, helping shape the next generation of flexible renewables.
Designed for Today’s Grid, Ready for Tomorrow’s Challenges
Three Bridges will connect directly to the UKPN network at 33kV, with 15 MW import/export capability, and grid milestones already completed, including CMP435 protected status and Milestone M7. Planning has already been implemented on the site, the project is classified as Ready to Build, with the main construction scheduled to begin in July 2025 and Commercial Operation Date (COD) set for September 2026.
The solar system incorporates high-efficiency N-type mono-crystalline high efficiency modules and central inverter architecture provided by Power Electronics, while the BESS will provide critical grid flexibility. The system can provide grid forming capabilities if required.
The technical delivery will be managed by PACE Construction - led by Bram Claeys and Tijs Behaeghe - and has a full suite of UK-based subcontractors and suppliers engaged. Key suppliers include DMEGC,Power Electronics and Zimmermann.
Pathfinder Clean Energy Submits Into Planning Lassington Solar - A 40MW Solar Farm, Co-located With BESS In Gloucestershire, UK.
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE), a leading UK-based developer of utility-scale renewable energy projects, has submitted a planning application for Lassington Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a new 40MW solar and storage development located near Gloucester, Gloucestershire.
The proposed scheme directly supports Tewkesbury Borough Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2019 and its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. With a planned grid connection date prior to 2030, the project is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to both national decarbonisation objectives and the Council’s specific emissions reduction targets.
Rob Denman, Managing Director at PACE, commented: “Lassington Solar and BESS will not only offer an immediate and tangible contribution toward meeting the Council’s climate goals, but it will also deliver substantial Biodiversity Net Gain. This project addresses the interconnected challenges of climate change, energy security, and biodiversity loss at both a local and national level.”
Pathfinder Clean Energy welcomes Joel Bright as new Finance Manager for construction activities
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) is delighted to welcome Joel Bright to its expanding finance team in the role of Finance Manager. Joel brings extensive experience in financial and management accounting across the renewable energy, med-tech, and FMCG sectors, and will play a key role in supporting the company’s commercial and financial operations as it scales its international clean energy portfolio.
Joel joins PACE from Fred Olsen Renewables, where he led FP&A processes, implemented planning tools to improve forecasting, and developed financial models for development and refinancing decisions. He also played a central role in managing SPV accounts and bank covenants, and delivered statutory accounts for clean energy portfolios.
A Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA), Joel holds an MSc in Clinical Engineering from King’s College London and a BEng in Bioengineering from the University of Sheffield. His career has included impactful work across corporate and public sectors, and he is recognized for his data-driven insight, stakeholder collaboration, and process innovation.
“We’re thrilled to have Joel join the team,” said Rob Denman, CEO of PACE. “His expertise in financial control and strategic forecasting aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable energy projects.”
For media inquiries, contact: press@pathfinderce.com
Planning Inspectorate approves Glebe Solar Farm after appeal by Pathfinder Clean Energy
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE), a UK-headquartered international developer of utility-scale solar and battery storage projects, has secured full planning permission for its 18MW Glebe Solar Farm in Norfolk, following a successful appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
The project had originally been recommended for approval by the local authority’s planning officers, but was refused by committee in August 2024. The Inspectorate’s decision to overturn the refusal underscores the robustness of PACE’s application and its consistency with both national energy goals and local planning policy.
"We are delighted with the Planning Inspectorate’s decision to approve Glebe Solar," said Rob Denman, Managing Director of PACE. "This outcome reflects our careful site selection and commitment to responsible development. We’ve worked hard to ensure this project brings tangible local benefits - from biodiversity improvements to climate action - with minimal disruption. We’re proud to support local and national decarbonisation goals in this way."
The use of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land - a classification used to denote higher-grade soils - was the only issue cited by the committee in its refusal, however, PACE believes that energy security and food security are complementary goals - not competing ones. According to the government’s Food Security Report 2024, DEFRA’s agricultural land use statistics 2024 and the UK’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, the impact of ground-mounted solar on national food supply is negligible. This view was supported by the Planning Inspector, who acknowledged the UK’s strong food supply position:
“In terms of food security, the UK produces around 75% of what we consume, and this has been broadly stable for the past 20 years. The Government does not seek to increase food production and the remaining 25% of food is addressed through imported foods required to meet food choices for those out of season in the UK. This has allowed Defra to conclude that the UK has a large and highly resilient food supply chain. Moreover, the 2024 WMS identifies that the total area used for solar is very small and even the most ambitious scenarios would still occupy less than 1% of the UK’s agricultural land. This would therefore have a minimal total effect on food security concerns.”
Glebe Solar benefits from a near-term grid connection, and once built will generate approximately 25GWh of clean electricity each year, enough to meet the annual demand of around 8,550 homes, and will offset an estimated 5,775 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Pathfinder Clean Energy Secures Planning Permission for 28MWp Station Road Solar Farm in Norfolk
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE), a UK-headquartered international developer of utility-scale solar and battery storage projects, today announced it has secured full planning permission for a new 28MWp solar photovoltaic scheme near Tivetshall St Margaret in South Norfolk. The project, known as Station Road Solar, was approved by South Norfolk Council under delegated powers (an officer-level decision rather than by committee), underscoring the strong merits of PACE’s application and its alignment with local planning policy.
Once built, the 28MWp Station Road Solar farm will generate approximately 27.9 GWh of clean electricity each year, enough to meet the annual demand of around 9,000 homes, and will offset an estimated 6,500 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Biodiversity and community benefits have been at the forefront of the Station Road Solar proposal. Converting the land from intensive arable farming to a solar farm with wildflower meadows and pasture will deliver significant biodiversity net gain benefits.
"We are extremely pleased with this planning approval, which is a testament to our robust site selection and development strategy," said Rob Denman, Managing Director of PACE. "From day one we’ve worked closely with the local community and stakeholders to ensure Station Road Solar delivers lasting benefits with minimal disruption. The result is a project that will not only provide clean power to the local area, but also boost biodiversity and support South Norfolk’s net-zero ambitions while contributing to the UK’s broader climate targets."
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) Reaches 700MWp Milestone With Thurleigh Road Solar Submission
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE), announced the submission of the Thurleigh Road Solar Farm planning application, marking a significant achievement in its UK development strategy.
With this latest submission, PACE UK has now reached over 700 megawatt peak (MWp) of distribution connected solar and storage projects at pre-construction or planning submitted stage — representing a major milestone in its mission to accelerate the UK’s clean energy transition.
“The submission of the Thurleigh Road Solar Farm is a further commitment to delivering high-quality, locally integrated clean energy projects that strengthen the UK’s energy resilience and reduce carbon emissions,” said Rob Denman, Managing Director of PACE Group.
“Reaching the 700 MWp mark through distributed distribution connected projects demonstrates both the maturity of our pipeline and our ability to execute at scale. Once all these assets are connected they could power the equivalent of 190,000 homes or a residential area similar in size to Reading or Southampton. This pipeline also includes the potential for over 450 MW of energy storage through primarily co-location to provide further flexibility and if required grid support such as grid forming”
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) secures £46m investment from RGREEN INVEST for expansion and construction of UK projects
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE Group) has secured a £46m investment via convertible bond from Paris-based investment house RGREEN INVEST to accelerate growth of its considerable UK development pipeline and commence construction of its leading UK projects.
PACE’s Belgium-based engineering team supported by UK project management will bring the assets into construction.
PACE has a global pipeline of over 3GW across UK, Canada, Poland and NZ.
Rob Denman, Managing Director at PACE said: “PACE is delighted to complete this investment from RGREEN INVEST that will solidify our position as a leader in the UK energy transition sector. The additional capital will immediately launch projects into construction across our solar and energy storage assets in the UK.
With strong commitment from the UK government for the net zero targets and the grid market reform coming to its conclusion, PACE’s experienced team with its advanced pipeline supported by RGREEN INVEST is in a leading position to materially contribute to meeting the government’s clean energy targets.”
“PACE looks forward to a long business partnership with RGREEN INVEST in the UK and potentially the other international markets in which we operate.”
PACE is presently developing and investing into clean energy projects in the UK, Canada, Poland and New Zealand and reviewing additional markets for expansion.
Nicolas Rochon, Founder & CEO of RGREEN INVEST: “This investment marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between RGREEN INVEST and PACE Group. Our capital will support the launch of construction on a new generation of solar and storage projects in the UK — strengthening the country’s energy independence and paving the way for future collaboration.”
About Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE)
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) - a clean energy developer and investor - was founded in 2017 and brings together some of the leading and most experienced figures in the clean energy sector. Its team of 32 people now operates across the UK, continental Europe, Canada and New Zealand, and 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 inhouse 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 energy 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 fifteen years’ 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 specialized and experienced professionals, RGREEN INVEST has already supported over 3,000 projects mainly in Europe amounting to more than 3.3 billion euros managed since inception.
To find out more, visit www.rgreeninvest.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
Note: The facility is for €54m that is approximately £46m based on June 20th 2025 exchange rate;
Pathfinder Clean Energy Submits Into Planning Elvington Solar - A 49MW Solar Farm, Co-located With BESS In Kent, UK.
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE), a leading UK-based developer of utility-scale renewables, has submitted planning for Elvington Solar and BESS, the latest 49MW solar and battery storage project near Nonington, Kent.
Elvington Solar, a proposed ground-mounted development, would generate enough renewable electricity to supply nearly 24,000 homes each year, avoiding CO₂ emissions equivalent to taking over 13,000 passenger cars off the road. The scheme also includes a 49.5MW of battery energy storage.
Rob Denman, Managing Director at PACE said, “Elvington Solar and BESS exemplifies our collaborative and responsive approach to renewable energy development. Following a successful public consultation event, the project has undergone significant layout amendments, led by both feedback from the consultation, as well as input from external advisers, most notably landscape, who have aided in addressing the issues raised by the community. This process ensures that the final design is both environmentally sensitive and locally supported. We are proud to bring forward the Elvington project as a demonstration of our commitment to integrated, community-conscious clean energy solutions”
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) Receives Planning Approval For Seeney BESS, A 100MW Battery Energy Storage Project in Warwickshire, UK
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE), a UK-headquartered international developer of utility-scale solar and battery storage projects, has received planning for its latest project - a 100MW battery energy storage system located in Warwickshire, UK.
The proposed battery scheme, known as Seeney BESS, is designed to store enough energy to meet the demands of approximately 230,000 homes for up to four hours. This project will help to accelerate the transition to clean energy, enhance grid stability, and provide essential backup during periods of high demand.
Rob Denman, Managing Director at PACE, stated: "During the committee’s discussion, one Member highlighted how their children had expressed genuine interest in the PACE proposal, viewing it as a positive step for the area through the introduction of advanced technologies. North Warwickshire Council has declared a climate emergency and acknowledges the need to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations and services. The Seeney BESS project will be instrumental in supporting both local and national net-zero ambitions by delivering essential flexibility to the energy grid. We at PACE are encouraged by the constructive community engagement and the consultations we’ve held so far. As with all our initiatives, we remain committed to delivering meaningful biodiversity enhancements, while addressing the critical, interlinked challenges of climate change, energy resilience, and biodiversity decline."