UK shows ‘considerable confidence’ in energy storage as 3.2GW win capacity contracts

December 9, 2016
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Grid-scale batteries have received a boost in a recent capacity market auction in the UK. Source: Younicos.

The number of battery storage projects to have won 15-year contracts in the UK’s latest Capacity Market auction is a sign of “considerable confidence” in the technology, according to the director of the Electricity Storage Network.

The results of the latest T-4 auction published on Friday morning show that contracts totalling 3.2GW have been awarded to storage projects, with a proportion expected to be met with batteries.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

In a departure from normal results in which the technology fails to gain more than a four year contract, a number of projects ranging in size have successfully secured long-term contracts usually awarded to other projects classed as new or existing generators.

Speaking to PV Tech sister site Energy Storage News, Anthony Price, director of the UK’s Electricity Storage Network, said the results showed a step-change in confidence in the technology.

“There was no reason why storage could not participate in the long term contracts [but] some folk in the industry didn't feel necessarily comfortable [that] storage technologies had matured sufficiently.

Read the full story on Energy Storage News

Read Next

April 16, 2026
UK-based perovskite PV specialist Oxford PV has joined a British research project to develop electric vehicle-integrated solar technologies. 
April 14, 2026
Accelerating solar deployment and electrification offers Australia's most effective defence against volatile global energy markets, according to a new Climate Council report released.
April 9, 2026
French utility EDF has received a development consent order (DCO) from the UK government to build an 800MW solar PV plant in England.
April 7, 2026
Aggreko has finalised a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with international mining company Harmony Gold for the Eva Copper Mine Project in Northwest Queensland.
April 1, 2026
The conflict in the Middle East could drive European solar PPA prices up by as much as 35%, according to Pexapark.
April 1, 2026
South Australia could see its peak load double from 3.3GW today to 6.5-7GW by 2040, driven by data centres, green steel and hydrogen demand.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
March 9, 2027
Location To Be Confirmed