How EDF is Sourcing Clean Energy for BAE Systems & NatWest

EDF Power Solutions UK has signed two new Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) with BAE Systems and NatWest, which will provide both companies with sourced renewable electricity from the Tye Lane solar farm located in Suffolk, England.

Under this agreement, it will assist in the provision of a 49.9MW solar farm, which is already under construction and due to be completed in spring 2026.

Building a low-carbon future across the UK

EDF Power Solutions, which is a subsidiary of the EDF Group, one of the world's largest low-carbon electricity companies, has a goal to have 10 GW of operational projects by 2035 to support the UK and Ireland in moving to clean power, ensuring communities and businesses have access to a diverse, reliable and affordable low-carbon energy mix for decades to come.

It has already forged strong partnerships with the previous pair, which includes an existing CPPA with BAE Systems at the Stranoch onshore wind farm in Scotland and a separate CPPA with NatWest at the Porth Wen solar farm in Wales.

Deborah Allen, Director of Environment, Climate & Infrastructure at BAE Systems, says: "This new CPPA with EDF power solutions is an important step forward for BAE Systems as we continue to decarbonise our operations by improving energy efficiency and switching to lower-carbon alternatives.

"This new agreement also supports our drive to increase energy resilience and security, by providing long-term access to competitive renewable electricity."

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15-year partnerships powering decarbonisation goals

The PPA contract between BAE Systems and EDF Power Solutions is for 15 years of energy supply. The PPA contract between NatWest and EDF Power Solutions is for 15 years of energy supply.

EDF Business & Wholesale facilitated the new CPPAs and will manage shaping, balancing and sleeving services to ensure smooth transfer of electricity from Tye Lane into each company's supply agreement.

Sleeving refers to the process of transferring electrical energy from a renewable energy project to a company/buyer through an intermediary, in this case EDF Business & Wholesale.

Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF power solutions UK, says: "We are proud to strengthen our partnership with both BAE Systems and NatWest with the signing of these new CPPAs, which provide significant support for our Tye Lane solar farm.

"Working together in this way secures the delivery of important new renewable projects, highlighting the importance of collaboration in transitioning to a future powered by clean green energy."

Supporting ambitious renewable energy targets

When the Tye Lane solar farm is operational, it will support BAE Systems' move towards its target for 90% of its UK and international electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030.

The solar farm will supply BAE Systems with enough clean energy to meet around 15% of its current UK demand.

The Tye Lane CPPA will also help NatWest cut its operational emissions by supplying clean power to its offices and high street banks.

Fiona Walmsley, Head of Property Services at NatWest Group, says: "We are pleased to continue working with EDF Power Solutions UK to deliver the Tye Lane Solar Farm. As a bank we support a renewable, low-carbon energy future with the electricity generated supplementing the low-carbon supply we already receive from the Porth Wen Solar Farm in North Wales.

"As a long-standing member of The Climate Group's RE100 programme, we have sourced 100% certified renewable electricity across our global operations since 2023, through a mix of on-site and off-site generation and green tariffs.

"The bank's CPPAs have been central to our efforts to reduce operational carbon emissions, contributing to a 50% reduction in our operational carbon footprint by 2025."

Tom Abbott, PPA Director, EDF Business & Wholesale, adds: "Long-term renewable contracts such as these CPPAs bring vital certainty to an evolving energy market.

"By enabling the transfer of clean power from Tye Lane into BAE Systems' and NatWest's supply agreements, we are helping them secure reliable, low carbon energy for the future. This gives them the confidence to plan ahead and make sustained progress toward achieving their long term sustainability commitments."