A solar farm project in Essex has reached a major milestone.

Reading-based Enviromena's Medebridge solar farm project has completed the installation of more than 100,000 bi-facial solar modules in less than five months since construction began.

The 71MWp project, which spans 175 acres near South Ockenden, was acquired by Enviromena from NTR in March 2024.

Construction, financed by Close Brothers Energy, began in June.

The solar farm will supply clean power to the University of Manchester under a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (cPPA), which is projected to reduce the university's carbon emissions by 12,000 tonnes per year.

Enviromena's chief operating officer, Gary Hales, said: "The partnership with the University of Manchester holds huge significance because it shows a joint dedication towards sustainability.

"As Medebridge takes its first major step towards completion next year, we’re closer to being able to deliver a large-scale site that will quickly make an impact to significantly reduce carbon emissions.

"Reaching this first major milestone of completing the installation of more than 100,000 modules on such an important project is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Enviromena’s construction team and their commitment has been vital in reaching this point safely and on time."

Once complete in 2025, the site will be owned, managed and operated by Enviromena for the project design life of 40 years.