Bumble Bee Co-Located Assets

We’re pleased to share that Cero Generation, alongside its UK development partner Enso Energy, has reached financial close on the Bumble Bee Co-Located Renewable Energy Project near the West Burton substation in Doncaster.

Evolution Infrastructure is proud to have supported Cero as financial advisor on this landmark transaction, which will deliver 78 MWp of solar PV co-located with a 120 MW battery energy storage system (BESS). The project represents another significant step forward for Cero as it progresses toward its target of delivering over 1GW of operational capacity across its core markets.

Financial close was achieved with the support of a strong lending group, including ING, NORD/LB, Rabobank and Santander UK. Bumble Bee is the second project to secure funding under Cero’s Gemini portfolio facility, following the 114 MW Bramley project, which reached financial close last summer and is now in construction.

A portion of the battery revenues will be secured under a 10-year tolling agreement with ENGIE, which will optimise 70 MW / 140 MWh of capacity. This marks Cero’s first tolling agreement and the first tolling agreement signed on a co-located asset in the UK. EDF will provide optimisation services for the remaining battery capacity and route-to-market services for the solar PV.

Construction is expected to commence in the coming months, with Metlen Energy & Metals appointed as EPC contractor, JA Solar supplying the solar panels, and Sungrow Europe supplying the BESS.

Reaching financial close on Bumble Bee demonstrates continued lender confidence in well-structured, co-located solar and storage projects and highlights the vital role these assets play in accelerating the UK’s energy transition.

Congratulations to the Cero and Enso teams and all financing and delivery partners involved. We look forward to seeing the project move into construction.

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