A new report from RenewableUK advocates for reforms to the UK's planning system to encourage the co-location of battery storage and green hydrogen projects with offshore wind farms. The report argues that integrating energy storage with offshore wind could reduce costs and development timelines by utilizing existing grid infrastructure.
The report, titled “Offshore wind co-location: integrating offshore wind with flexibility”, highlights the role of energy storage in enhancing the flexibility of the UK's energy system. It outlines how batteries can provide both short and long-term power, while green hydrogen, produced from renewable electricity, can be stored and used when needed, strengthening the country's energy security.
Currently, only 3 megawatts (MW) of operational battery storage capacity is co-located with offshore wind in UK waters. However, another 600 MW of potential battery storage has already received consent, and several offshore wind developers are exploring opportunities to co-locate with green hydrogen.
The report also offers policy recommendations for key stakeholders, including the UK government, Ofgem, The Crown Estate, Crown Estate Scotland, and local planning authorities. One key recommendation is to reform the Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction process to encourage the co-location of energy storage with offshore wind.
Yonna Vitanova, senior policy analyst at RenewableUK and author of the report, said: “The UK has a great opportunity to build a more resilient energy system by integrating batteries and green hydrogen projects into offshore wind infrastructure, either at sea or near substations onshore. But at the moment neither the CfD process nor the planning system are set up in a way to encourage this.”
Vitanova added, “This report provides a blueprint for government to address the challenges renewable energy developers face when considering co-location as part of their business plans. With clearer rules and regulations in place, the UK can unleash the benefits co-location can provide to the system and ultimately to billpayers.
