Cleve Hill Solar Park, Kent, UK

Project Overview

As part of the UK’s most ambitious renewable energy infrastructure scheme to date, Dura Composites was selected to design and fabricate critical GRP access structures for Cleve Hill Solar Park – the nation’s first co-located solar and battery storage project to be approved as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

Situated on the north Kent coast near Graveney, the 373 MW Cleve Hill scheme features over 550,000 solar panels and a 150 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Once fully operational, it will provide enough affordable and clean electricity to power over 102,000 homes – equivalent to 0.7% of the UK’s national power demand at peak output.

Safe Access in High-Voltage Environments

To support the safe and efficient operation of this major energy hub, Dura Composites supplied a tailored suite of access solutions made from our award-winning d² GRP product range. These include:

• Step Over Units to traverse ducting, cabling and other obstacles and to provide safe access into the transformer and inverter bunds
• Heavy Duty Trench Covers for secure load-bearing over inspection and walkway zones
• Custom Ladders to facilitate safe and reliable maintenance access

All products were fabricated in the UK at our ISO 9001 certified facility and backed by:

• 25-Year Warranty
• 60-Year Design Life
• UK-Verified Structural Data and FEA Calculations

Designed for long-term performance in challenging outdoor conditions, our d² GRP systems are Class B fire-rated, non-conductive, and corrosion-resistant – making them ideal for BESS and solar environments where metal alternatives may pose safety or durability risks.

Proven Performance, Measurable Impact

As part of the UK’s journey toward net zero, Cleve Hill sets a benchmark for large-scale solar delivery – not only in terms of scale, but also in terms of engineering innovation and supply chain collaboration.
Dura’s d² Access Structures helped reduce installation complexity and supported the client’s embodied carbon goals through:

• Reduced Material Weight – Simplifying logistics and lowering transport emissions
• Non-Corrosive Performance – Eliminating the need for coatings or maintenance-intensive finishes
• Recyclable Design – Supporting circular economy ambitions at end-of-life

In total, the use of d² Dura products enabled a carbon saving of 25,527 kg CO₂e – achieved through lower embodied carbon design and maintenance-free performance.

Our products outperformed standard GRP alternatives and contributed to the site’s broader sustainability credentials, which include a 56-hectare dedicated Habitat Management Area and best-in-class grid integration through a new 400kV substation.

Unlocking the Potential of Renewable Infrastructure

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are essential to the UK’s renewable energy strategy, helping to stabilise grid supply by storing solar and wind power for use at peak times. However, BESS installations demand infrastructure that is:

Safer – Fire-rated, non-conductive, and slip-resistant
Stronger – With high load capacity and lower substructure demands
Greener – Engineered for a low-carbon footprint
Proven – Backed by the most comprehensive test data in the industry

Dura Composites’ access systems are already trusted by leading players in renewables and grid-scale storage and are increasingly specified for Energy and Utilities applications where safety, efficiency, and compliance are critical.

View the carbon saving certificate

Cleve Hill represents a turning point for large-scale solar and energy storage in the UK, and we’re proud that Dura’s d² GRP access systems are playing a part in ensuring it operates safely, efficiently and sustainably. Projects like this demand the highest levels of compliance and long-term performance, and our d² GRP range delivered exactly that – while helping the client lower embodied carbon at scale. It’s a powerful example of how our engineered composite solutions support the UK’s transition to clean energy infrastructure.

Antony Theobald

Client Success Manager at Dura Composites

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