Tar Farm BESS is a 35MW battery energy storage project co-located with the existing Tar Farm Solar Farm in Oxfordshire. The project received planning permission in September 2025 and is expected to begin construction in 2026.
The site is located on agricultural land at Tar Farm, Tar Road, Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire. The BESS will be co-located with the Tar Farm Solar Farm, which secured planning consent in 2022, creating a combined solar-plus-storage renewable energy hub.
Project Overview
Project Name: Tar Farm BESS
Developer: Bluefield Renewable Developments Ltd (Bluefield Group)
Capacity: 35MW
Location: Tar Farm, Tar Road, Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire
Status: ✅ Planning Approved (September 2025)
Project Type: Co-located with Tar Farm Solar Farm (approved 2022)
Construction Start: Expected 2026
Developer Background
Bluefield Renewable Developments Ltd is the renewable energy development arm of Bluefield Group. The company develops, builds and operates solar farms and battery storage projects on behalf of the funds it advises, including the London Stock Exchange-listed Bluefield Solar Income Fund (BSIF).
Bluefield manages over 270 individual renewable energy assets with a total capacity exceeding 1GW and an asset value of £1.8bn. Tar Farm BESS is one of four projects secured by Bluefield in September 2025, alongside Water Hall Solar Farm (35MW), Rookery Solar Farm (49.9MW solar + 40MW BESS), and Low Horton BESS (40MW).
Project Significance
Solar-Storage Co-location: Tar Farm BESS will be co-located with the existing Tar Farm Solar Farm, demonstrating how solar and storage can work together to strengthen UK energy security.
Grid Stability: The BESS will store excess solar energy during peak generation and release it when demand is high, helping balance the electricity network.
No Government Subsidies: The project does not rely on direct government subsidies, reflecting a mature commercial model.
Project Context
Tar Farm BESS is part of Bluefield's strategy to add energy storage capacity to existing solar assets. The Tar Farm Solar Farm received planning consent in 2022, and the addition of BESS capacity maximises the site's renewable energy potential.
Jonathan Selwyn, Managing Director of Bluefield Developments, stated: "We're proud to be enabling infrastructure that's not only engineered for long-term performance but rooted in community value and stewardship. These projects demonstrate how solar and storage can work together to strengthen the UK's energy security."
Related Links
Information compiled from Bluefield Group announcements and Solar Power Portal reporting. Last updated: 7 April 2026.