Renewable energy developer Anesco has officially opened a colocated solar and battery storage plant in Bedfordshire.
Solar capacity is 10MW at the Clayhill site, with 6MW of battery capacity and the company says it is the first solar farm in the UK to operate without a subsidy.
While investors remain keen on acquiring solar farms with guaranteed incomes, support schemes are now closed. But there are still viable projects, particularly colocated with storage, according to Anesco.
The firm plans to bid power generated by the Clayhill development into the T-4 capacity market, which, if successful, would generate additional support payments.
The battery will also be used to provide frequency response services and is part of a storage pipeline of some 185MW that Anesco plans to complete by the end of 2018. The company already operates around 480MW of solar from over 100 farms.
“Clayhill is a landmark development and paves the way for a sustainable future, where subsidies are no longer needed or relied upon. Importantly, it proves that the Government’s decision to withdraw subsidies doesn’t have to signal the end of solar as a commercially viable technology,” said Anesco executive chairman Steve Shine.
“By deciding to colocate the 6MW battery storage unit and by working closely with our supply chain partners, we have been able to achieve a subsidy-free development.”
Related stories:
Free DSR and battery storage report
Solar farms with batteries can keep earning Rocs
Battery storage: Finance a challenge but businesses predict 3-7 year paybacks
Energy storage ‘will wipe out’ battery storage
RES sells 20MW EFR battery project
As solar subsidies wane, investors plan 2.3GW of battery storage projects
Centrica: Floodgates to open on storage in 2017
Vattenfall to build 22MW battery storage plant at south Wales windfarm
17% of UK solar capacity ‘to be sold within 12-18 months’
RES sells 35MW Port of Tyne battery storage project
National Grid signs four year EFR deal with RES
Sheffield University launches three day solar forecasting tool
Big fish: BlackRock and Lightsource target £1bn solar portfolio
As solar generation makes history, National Grid starts to feel the burn
Solar PV hits 12GW, further 3GW in planning
United Utilities plans £55m solar investment
National Grid procures 138.6MW of demand turn up to balance solar in summer
National Grid to extend demand turn-up running hours, procure more
National Grid says impact of solar requires greater system flexibility
Follow us at @EnergystMedia. For regular bulletins, sign up for the free newsletter.
