NORD/LB consortium finances Larks Green solar-BESS cluster in UK

NORD/LB, Santander, Rabobank, and ING have closed a financing package for Cero Generation’s 190 MW Larks Green solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) cluster in Itchington, South Gloucestershire, England. The debt package refinances the operational Larks Green Solar farm and Larks Green BESS site, and provides new financing for construction of the Lower Larks BESS project.

Larks Green Solar, a 70 MW facility, began operating in 2023. Larks Green BESS, a 50 MW site, has been operational since 2024. Lower Larks BESS, a 70 MW project, is under construction and expected to begin operating in 2027. The financing expands an existing portfolio facility the consortium established in July 2025, which has previously financed Cero’s Bramley and Bumble Bee co-located solar and storage projects.

Cero Generation said its portfolio has achieved EU Taxonomy Alignment, a sustainability classification under the European Green Deal that assesses whether an economic activity contributes to environmental objectives without significant harm to others. The company said its solar and BESS portfolio is expected to reach 207 MW and 345 MW respectively once all projects are live.

“Financing projects like these reflects our commitment to accelerating the renewable energy transition in the UK and Europe,” said Jorn Leeuwendal, deputy head of energy origination at NORD/LB. “The Larks Green sites will play an important role in boosting the country’s solar capacity and helping to stabilise the national grid.”

Cero Generation’s Andrew Alkiviades, director of commercial delivery, said the financing marks another milestone in the company’s ability to deliver utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects. He added that the Larks Green cluster is significant because it combines operational and under-construction assets at a single site, supported by a diversified revenue profile and established offtakers.

Dentons acted as legal adviser to the lending consortium, while CMS advised Cero Generation. Marsh served as the lenders’ insurance adviser, Wood as technical adviser, and Evolution Infrastructure provided modelling support.

Larks Green Solar was Cero and Enso’s flagship project, described at the time as the first UK solar farm connected directly to the national transmission grid when it was energized in May 2023.