UK pipeline of energy storage projects jumps by two-thirds
Storage facilities will be crucial in balancing grid as new generation of wind and solar projects come online
The pipeline of energy storage projects in the UK has jumped by two-thirds over the last year, according to a RenewableUK report.
Energy storage projects which are operational, under construction, consented or being planned have increased from 50.3GW a year ago to 84.8GW now.
That is an increase of 34.5GW, or 68.6%.
Energy storage facilities will be crucial as the UK targets a net zero grid by 2035 through a massive ramp-up of renewable energy projects – including 50GW of offshore wind by 2030.
The need for such facilities was laid bare in a recent report released by UK think tank Carbon Tracker, which found that wasted wind power will add £40 ($50.80) to the average UK household's electricity bill this year in curtailment fees. That figure could skyrocket to £150 in 2026.
The jump in the energy storage facility pipeline shows there is a “huge appetite among investors to enter this rapidly growing market,” said RenewableUK’s director of future electricity systems Barnaby Wharton.
“This puts us well on track to delivering the 30GW of flexibility which the government says we will need by 2030 to ensure electricity supply always meets demand.”
“While the battery market is booming, we need investment in even larger projects to store energy for longer, unlocking further opportunities for us to scale up this cutting-edge technology,” he said.
“We’re still waiting for the government to confirm how they will stabilise revenues for long duration projects,” he added.
RenewableUK found that operational battery storage capacity has grown to 3.5GW, and the capacity of projects under construction has reached 3.8GW.
A further 24.5GW has been consented, 27.4GW has been submitted in the planning system and 25.7GW is at an early stage of development but yet to be submitted.