NatPower UK is set to invest £10 billion in the UK battery energy storage sector to bring online over 60GWh of capacity by 2040.
NatPower UK, a part of global developer NatPower Group, will first deploy battery energy storage systems (BESS) before expanding into large-scale solar and wind projects later this year.
According to a statement released by the company this morning (7 March), NatPower UK will develop “GigaParks” with the first three to go for planning permission in 2024. A further 10 will apply for planning permission in 2025.
£600 million has been earmarked for the development of substations in the initial phase as the company attempts to tackle and overcome grid bottlenecks and connection delays. This continues to be a key obstacle with many renewable developments with National Grid ESO anticipating the register to reach over 800GW by the end of 2024.
Stefano Sommadossi, CEO at NatPower UK, highlighted this could be solved via investment. Sommadossi said: “To solve the bottlenecks that are slowing the shift to clean energy, we will drive investment into the grid itself, collaborating with grid operators to deliver more than 20% of the new substations required.
“By investing in substations and focusing on energy storage first, we will enable the next phase of the energy transition and bring down the cost of energy for consumers. We plan to deliver the benefits of the energy transition to all corners of the UK and our portfolio will play a big part in the UK achieving 100% of its targets.”
Cleve Hill BESS refused by council
In other UK BESS news, a local planning committee for Swale Borough Council has refused an application to install a battery storage asset at the 373MW Cleve Hill Solar Park, the BBC has reported.
According to the article, residents feared using lithium ferrophosphate (LFP) batteries to store energy. This led to a protest outside the council’s office before the planning committee meeting on Wednesday (28 February).
The BBC reported that the primary cause for the rejection of the safety management plan was due to a “lack of water storage facilities on site, a lack of access to the battery storage area, and the lack of an evacuation plan.”