EDF Renewables earmarks more than 300 MW of UK battery storage projects

EDF RENEWABLES UK is set to double its battery storage capacity to more than 300 MW with several projects added to its pipeline.

The company, a subsidiary of the French EDF Group, currently has more than 150 MW of battery energy storage systems in operation in Oxfordshire, Kent, and the West Midlands.

In the next 12 months, EDF will bring six new projects online in the south and east of England, amounting to 313 MW of battery storage.

Simone Sullivan, head of solar, storage, and private wire at EDF Renewables UK, said: “Battery storage is critical to enhancing our energy security and to achieving the new government’s 2030 targets.

“We have a strong momentum behind our projects, helping the UK to reap the benefits of cost-effective, clean renewable energy and a modern, flexible grid.”

UK’s renewable energy and storage targets

The new government has announced ambitious targets for the UK’s renewable energy sector, which accounted for just over 50% of total electricity generation in Q1.

In its 2030 plan, the government aims to quadruple offshore wind to 55 GW, triple solar to 50 GW, and boost onshore wind to 35 GW.

Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are needed to store energy from renewable sources when supply outstrips demand.

The UK’s current operational energy storage capacity is around 3.5 GW, according to the most recent estimates from Renewable UK.

By 2030, the government expects demand for energy storage to rise to 10 GW, and a further 20 GW by 2035.

Along with EDF Renewables, renewable company NatPower announced this year that it will invest more than £10bn (US$13bn) to develop 60 GWh of battery storage by 2040.