UK

Atrato Onsite Energy plc has acquired a 34-MW portfolio of rooftop solar systems in England and Wales for GBP 77.3 million. The contracts are expected to produce 681 GWh of electricity and have very low exposure to wholesale power prices. Demand for residential solar is increasing due to EPC regulations.

Boom Power granted planning permission for 25.6MW Crays Hall Solar Farm in Essex, England. Project to generate up to 12,500 family homes' electricity needs, offsetting 13,300 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Expected to deliver 94% biodiversity net gain & 53% gain for linear habitats. Construction to commence in 1st half of 2022.

Windel Energy is running a consultation for Fosse Green Energy: a 350MWdc solar and energy storage park in Lincolnshire, England, capable of powering 110,000 homes. Local community feedback is invited from 11 September to 20 October 2023. Suggestions are also sought for community schemes, biodiversity net gain and future developments.

EDF Renewables UK has secured planning permission for two battery energy storage facilities in Essex and Norfolk; the 57-MW project in Essex is expected to be online in 2025 and the 114-MW project in Norfolk will help the UK transition to a more sustainable energy future.

This article looks at how developers are leading the UK's transition to a net zero carbon future, focusing on how this will ensure grid stability and the integration of renewable energy sources.

UK unveils groundbreaking 100MW hydropower-storage partnership, providing clean energy solutions for a greener future.

Codrington Solar Farm approved by South Gloucestershire Council, providing low carbon energy for 4,400 homes. Construction to begin early 2025 with landscape, ecological and biodiversity benefits.

Belectric has been awarded a contract to build a 28.5-MWp solar plant in Norwich, England. The plant is expected to be operational by summer 2024 and will be able to power 9,500 households annually. This is part of Belectric's increasing presence in the UK and Netherlands.

Luminous Energy achieves financial close on 28.5MW Bracon Ash Solar Farm in Norfolk, UK, providing £10k/year for community projects, 203% biodiversity gain & in line with Net Zero targets. Belectric to build & maintain. TLT, CMS, Fichtner & WTW advised.

Pathfinder Clean Energy plans to build a 45.48-hectare solar farm outside the village of Paulton in Somerset. Generating 26 megawatts of power, it will provide 10% of the 300MW needed to reach net zero in Bath and North East Somerset. Grazing sheep are welcome under the solar panels, and battery storage will store energy for peak times. A planning application is yet to be submitted.

DIF Capital Partners has announced a £200 million investment into Field, a London-headquartered developer and operator of battery energy storage systems, to expedite the development of its 4.5 GWh pipeline of grid-scale projects in UK and Western Europe. Field is already operating a 20 MWh battery project in Oldham, and has four other sites totalling 210 MWh.

Eku Energy is set to construct two 130 MWh battery storage systems in Basildon, Essex and Loudwater, Buckinghamshire. Completion is expected by the end of 2024 with 1.2GWh of battery storage currently in delivery across six sites. NHOA Group is partnering with Eku for this project.

Dale Vince's Ecojet is the UK's first electric airline powered by renewable energy, set to launch in 2024. Ecojet flights will feature sustainable meals, uniforms, and no single-use plastics. Flying with Ecojet will reduce carbon emissions by 90,000 tonnes annually and contribute to decarbonizing the aviation industry.

RES wins contract to provide O&M and HV services for 13 Downing LLP solar sites. RES Head of Solar O&M Brian Darnell expresses delight while Danielle Strothers from Downing LLP looks forward to working together on asset efficiency.

Statkraft and Infinis have signed two seven-year PPAs for two solar farms in England, covering 92MW of installed capacity. Unity, Statkraft's VPP system, will actively manage the output of the farms to ensure optimal efficiency. Statkraft and Infinis hope to continue the partnership for future projects.