Pathfinder Clean Energy has reached Final Investment Decision on its Tophams hybrid renewable-energy project in North Hertfordshire, clearing the way for construction of a 55MWp solar farm paired with 22.6MWh of battery storage.
Located near Baldock, the project will combine solar and storage behind a single grid connection, with both assets targeted to enter commercial operation during 2027.
FID Moves Tophams Into Construction Phase
The investment decision marks the point where Tophams moves from development preparation toward physical delivery.
PACE plans to construct the project using its internal engineering and construction team.
Revenue from the solar component is supported by a UK government CfD secured through the AR7a allocation process.
“Tophams is another important step in scaling up PACE’s construction programme. Co-locating solar and storage behind a single grid connection is central…” said Rob Denman, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Pathfinder Clean Energy.
Storage Maximises Scarce Grid Capacity
One of the project’s most strategically important design features is its shared connection.
Solar generation is concentrated during daylight hours, while batteries can absorb electricity and discharge it later.
Placing both technologies behind one grid connection allows developers to use network capacity more efficiently rather than building two independent projects.
That approach is becoming increasingly relevant in the UK, where grid connection availability is one of the principal constraints facing new renewable developments.
In-House EPC Supports Wider Buildout
PACE is developing a larger UK construction programme.
Tophams follows progress at the company’s Three Bridges and Attleborough Road developments and forms part of its shift from primarily developing projects toward constructing and operating its own clean-energy assets.
The company says its internal EPC model is intended to retain engineering knowledge throughout the full asset lifecycle.
FID Provides Clear Execution Milestone
Tophams aligns closely with the broader move toward hybrid solar-plus-storage infrastructure.
Battery storage allows intermittent renewable generation to become more flexible while helping developers maximise the value of constrained grid infrastructure.
The project’s 20-year contracted solar revenue also provides greater long-term visibility as it enters construction.
For PACE, reaching FID confirms that Tophams has moved beyond planning into an investment-ready infrastructure asset.
For the UK market, the project demonstrates how solar, batteries, grid optimisation and long-term contracts are increasingly being combined within a single development model.
