Neoen and Alight have announced the initiation of construction on the Hultsfred solar farm in Småland, south-eastern Sweden.

The two companies have issued their notice to proceed to a consortium consisting of Bouygues Energies & Services and Solkompaniet.

The consortium has been appointed as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the solar farm.

The solar farm is jointly developed and owned by Neoen and Alight and will be linked to the local E.ON grid distribution system in Hultsfred.

It is claimed to be the largest solar project under construction in Sweden, with a capacity of 100MWp.

Low-carbon photovoltaic panels will be installed around the runway of Hultsfred Airport to help construct the farm.

The site is anticipated to produce sufficient electricity capacity to meet the energy needs of more than 18,000 households in the country.

Commissioning of the project is planned for 2025.

Neoen Sweden business development head Laetitia Prot said: “I would like to congratulate our development partner Alight, and our contractors Bouygues Energies & Services and Solkompaniet for this great achievement.

“The Hultsfred solar farm will be our third Swedish asset after Storbränkullen wind farm and Storen Power Reserve battery: our three-pronged, long-term approach is an ideal response to Sweden’s need for a secure supply of competitive, local, renewable energy, as it transitions to a net-zero carbon economy by 2045.”

The project is supported by a long-term power purchase agreement signed at the end of last year with H&M Group.

This agreement ensures that the solar farm will supply 95% of its renewable energy and guarantees of origin to the Swedish fashion chain.