Investment manager swoops for £240m solar energy project

Investment manager Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has acquired a major solar farm project in the East Midlands that is set to create 2,000 jobs.
Quinbrook has swooped for the 350 MW solar PV project, Mallard Pass. The £240m project on the Rutland-Lincolnshire border, is Quinbrook’s second nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP) after Cleve Hill Solar, the UK’s first NSIP project which is in final stages of construction.
Construction of Mallard Pass is expected to begin in 2026 with the start of operations in 2028.
Keith Gains, managing director and regional leader UK for Quinbrook, said: “Renewable power projects of the scale of Cleve Hill and Mallard Pass help accelerate the UK’s energy transition and decarbonisation along with enhanced resilience of energy supply. Mallard Pass represents another value-add investment opportunity for Quinbrook in large scale solar.
“Quinbrook plans to leverage our extensive global experience in large-scale renewables development, construction and operations to bring high-quality solar technology and innovation to Mallard Pass including its demand-side capacity potential.”
It is estimated that Mallard Pass will produce over 14 million MWh of renewable power over its lifespan and reduce CO2 emissions by 665,000 tonnes, equivalent to CO2 emissions from 738.7m pounds of coal burned. Quinbrook also aims to deliver a 71% biodiversity net gain at Mallard Pass, combining natural capital enhancement and creation initiatives and leveraging its experience from implementing 67% biodiversity net gain at Cleve Hill.
“Solar projects of this scale play an important role in the decarbonisation of the UK grid and our country’s energy security,” said Rosalind Smith-Maxwell, director for Quinbrook. “The investment in Mallard Pass is another excellent example of Quinbrook’s focus on holistic and impactful investment in the infrastructure needed to advance the energy transition.”
Quinbrook and affiliate, Private Energy Partners, will now start on detailed design, procurement and construction planning.