'UK storage pipeline doubles in 12 months'

• R-UK states there are now 32.1 GW of projects operational, unfinished, consented or being planned

The pipe of energy storage projects in the UK that are functional, under construction, consented or being prepared has doubled in the last twelve month, according to a report by RenewableUK.

The 'EnergyPulse Energy Storage' report reveals that the overall pipe of battery projects has actually doubled to 32.1 GW from 16.1 GW a year ago.

Functional battery storage project capacity has actually expanded by 45% to 1.6 GW from 1.1 GW, and also the capacity of projects incomplete has more than doubled to 1.4 GW.

A more 10.4 GW has been consented, 7.7 GW has actually been submitted in the planning system and 10.9 GW is in growth however yet to be sent.

England has the highest possible capacity of totally commissioned battery storage projects (1398MW) and the biggest quantity of planning applications (6163MW).

The report claimed that the development has actually been driven primarily by a change in regulation in December 2020 allowing local preparation authorities to figure out projects with a capacity of over 50MW in England as well as 350MW in Wales.

Previously these were figured out by central government, making the process much longer and a lot more intricate.

R-UK stated that consequently there has been a change in the direction of larger projects, with the typical size boosting to 54MW.

Virtually 20% of the overall pipe of battery storage projects (6.1 GW) are co-located with solar energy projects, primarily in England (5320MW).

RenewableUK director of future electricity systems Barnaby Wharton said: "The fact that the battery storage pipeline has doubled within the space of twelve months shows that the enormous appetite among financiers for this modern technology is remaining to expand quick. However programmers still need accessibility to cheaper capital.

" Government can help by setting out a long-lasting vision for the sector, consisting of a clearer as well as more stable route to market for energy storage.

" Although we're making terrific development, we're still some way from supplying the 30GW of functional flexibility which the government calls for by 2030.".