RWE has begun constructing its first seven UK solar and storage sites, representing 330MW of solar and 45MW of co-located battery energy storage systems (BESS).
The projects are the first of the 3.8GW solar and 2.5GW battery storage capacity from the portfolio the German energy giant secured through its acquisition of developer JBM Solar to enter construction.
Completed in March 2023, the acquisition made RWE one of the key players in the UK’s solar market.
The seven projects entering construction are:
- Langford (35MW solar + 35MW BESS)
- Claydon (45MW solar +10MW BESS)
- Cotmoor (50MW)
- Moreton Lane (50MW)
- Doverdale (50MW)
- Stoneshollow (50MW)
- Ashorne (50MW)
All seven projects have successfully secured Contracts for Difference (CfD) and will be constructed to facilitate a co-located BESS asset where one is not already installed. Additionally, RWE’s projects will contribute a total of £645,000 towards communities local to the sites.
UK-based contractors Ethical Power and Equans UK & Ireland (under its new brand Equans Solar & Storage) have been awarded “major construction contracts” from RWE to provide a range of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services to the seven projects.
The first site is expected to begin operation by the end of this year.
Katja Wünschel, CEO at RWE Renewables Europe and Australia, said: “The deployment of these seven new projects represents a significant milestone for RWE as we grow and diversify our clean energy portfolio through solar and battery power in one of our most strategically important markets.”
RWE said it aims to commission an average of 450MW of new solar capacity in the UK annually until 2030 to bolster its global capacity, which is planned to increase by 3.9GW to 16GW by 2030.