AGR Renewables reaches financial close with Greencoat Capital on £86m sustainable Fenland Greenhouse

AGR Renewables is delighted to announce that it has successfully reached financial close on its £86 million Fenland Greenhouse project in partnership with Greencoat Capital. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the delivery of one of the UK’s most ambitious sustainable agriculture developments. In parallel, AGR has executed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement, under which it will lead the full delivery of the project through to completion.

At its core is a 9MW sustainable energy centre, complemented by a 33MWth open-loop heat pump system, which together provide a reliable and low-emission energy supply. This innovative configuration enables the greenhouse to consume approximately 30% less CO₂ compared to conventional greenhouse operations, resulting in an overall reduction in carbon emissions of nearly 60%.

A key feature of the development is its use of state-of-the-art LED lighting technology, powered by the on-site sustainable energy centre. This system allows for precise control of light conditions, enabling crops to grow more efficiently regardless of external weather or seasonal constraints. As a result, the greenhouse is expected to accelerate crop growth cycles and increase year-round yields by approximately 27%, significantly enhancing productivity and supply consistency.

In addition, the site incorporates a substantial and highly integrated network of supporting infrastructure designed to ensure reliable and efficient operation of the facility. This includes more than 12.8 kilometres of gas pipelines, 2.5 kilometres of water systems, and 6.8 kilometres of electrical cabling, all carefully engineered to support the demands of the site’s operational requirements.

This extensive infrastructure has been developed to provide robust connectivity and seamless coordination between key systems, enabling the facility to operate at high levels of efficiency, safety, and reliability. The design also prioritises resilience, ensuring that critical services can be maintained under varying operational conditions. By integrating these elements into a cohesive layout, the project achieves strong performance standards while supporting long-term operational stability and flexibility.

Upon completion in Q4 2022, Fenland Greenhouse is expected to produce up to 2.5 million cucumbers per week, accounting for more than 10% of the UK’s annual cucumber consumption. This output will make a significant contribution to domestic food security by reducing reliance on imports and strengthening the resilience of the UK food supply chain.

The partnership with Greencoat Capital reflects a strong alignment in delivering sustainable infrastructure, with AGR acting as the principal EPC contractor responsible for construction and ongoing technical maintenance. AGR also acknowledges the valuable input of local stakeholders and authorities, whose engagement has been instrumental in progressing the project to financial close.

Fenland Greenhouse stands as a leading example of how sustainable energy principles and modern agricultural practices can be combined to deliver large-scale, low-carbon food production. It reflects AGR’s broader commitment to innovation, environmental responsibility, and the development of infrastructure that supports both the UK’s energy transition and the future resilience of its food production system.