Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, a global investment firm specializing in energy transition infrastructure, has acquired the 350 MW Mallard Pass solar project. Located on the Rutland-Lincolnshire border in England’s East Midlands, this marks Quinbrook’s second nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP) after Cleve Hill Solar, which is nearing completion.
Construction on Mallard Pass is set to begin in 2026, with operations expected to start in 2028. Quinbrook plans to apply its expertise from Cleve Hill, a similar-scale project that will start generating solar power this quarter. Cleve Hill was the first NSIP to secure a Contract for Difference (CfD) in July 2022 under the UK’s Allocation Round 4. In November 2024, Quinbrook announced that Cleve Hill had secured the UK’s largest-ever solar corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tesco.
Keith Gains, Managing Director and UK regional leader for Quinbrook, stated “Renewable power projects of the scale of Cleve Hill and Mallard Pass help accelerate the UK’s energy transition and decarbonisation along with enhanced resilience of energy supply. Mallard Pass represents another value-add investment opportunity for Quinbrook in large scale solar. Quinbrook plans to leverage our extensive global experience in large-scale renewables development, construction and operations to bring high-quality solar technology and innovation to Mallard Pass including its demand-side capacity potential.”
Rosalind Smith-Maxwell, Director for Quinbrook, said “Solar projects of this scale play an important role in the decarbonisation of the UK grid and our country’s energy security. The investment in Mallard Pass is another excellent example of Quinbrook’s focus on holistic and impactful investment in the infrastructure needed to advance the energy transition.”
Quinbrook plans to ensure that Mallard Pass benefits the local and regional community, just as it did with Cleve Hill. Local residents will have opportunities for jobs during both construction and operation. Early estimates suggest the project could create over 2,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute more than £124 million to the local economy over its lifetime.
Mallard Pass is expected to generate over 14 million MWh of renewable energy throughout its lifespan, cutting CO₂ emissions by 665,000 tonnes—the same as emissions from burning nearly 739 million pounds of coal. Quinbrook also aims to achieve a 71% biodiversity net gain at Mallard Pass, drawing from its success at Cleve Hill, where it delivered a 67% gain through environmental initiatives. Quinbrook, along with its affiliate Private Energy Partners, will now move forward with the detailed design, procurement, and construction planning for Mallard Pass.
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