The pipeline of energy storage projects in the United Kingdom, encompassing operational, under construction, consented, and planned ventures, has witnessed a remarkable surge of more than two-thirds in capacity over the past year, according to the EnergyPulse Energy Storage report by RenewableUK.
The report reveals that the total capacity of the battery project pipeline has increased from 50.3GW a year ago to 84.8GW, marking a substantial growth of 68.6% (34.5GW). Among these, operational battery storage capacity has risen to 3.5GW, with 3.8GW under construction. Additionally, 24.5GW has received consent, 27.4GW is in the planning system, and 25.7GW is in the early stages of development.
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England dominates the UK's project pipeline, accounting for 60% (50,763MW) of the overall capacity, including the highest capacity of fully commissioned battery storage projects at 2,872MW. Scotland holds the second-largest pipeline with 29,506MW.
The report notes a shift toward larger projects, with the average size of those submitted for planning increasing to 80MW this year. To provide context, a 50MW battery has the capacity to fully charge 2,000 electric vehicles.
This rapid growth in the energy storage sector is highlighted by the fact that just over a decade ago, the average project size was a mere 2MW, and by 2021, it had surged to 54MW.
RenewableUK's director of future electricity systems, Barnaby Wharton, commented on the substantial pipeline growth, emphasizing the significant investor interest in the rapidly expanding market. He noted that the surge puts the UK on track to meet the government's target of achieving 30GW of flexibility by 2030 to ensure a consistent match between electricity supply and demand.
Wharton highlighted the need for viable projects to connect to the grid promptly and stressed the importance of industry progress in reforming the connections process. While celebrating the booming battery market, he underscored the necessity for investments in larger projects capable of storing energy for more extended periods, presenting additional opportunities for scaling up this cutting-edge technology. The director expressed anticipation for the government to confirm measures stabilizing revenues for long-duration projects.
