InterGen proposes new solar storage project TEN TIMES bigger than any in the UK

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 We were expecting to see some major developments with regards to solar projects across the UK, particularly with the recent emphasis on solar energy as part of the UK’s ‘carbon neutral by 2050’ aim.

That said, we weren’t expecting to see an announcement of a new project that is ten times the size of the UK’s previous record! That’s exactly what we got this week from InterGen, who have announced that they’ve been given planning approval for a battery storage project tol be built at DP World London Gateway on the Thames Estuary. 

The project will cost around £200m and add up to 640MWh of capacity, with the potential to expand up to 1.3GWh, which would put it at ten times the size of the previous largest battery project in the UK.

Given that solar panel installations are continuing to grow, solar battery storage installations need to keep pace if they are to make full use of solar generation in the UK. The majority of InterGen’s battery storage from this project will support storage from existing solar generation, with room to grow as generation builds.

Jim Lightfoot, the CEO of InterGen, said his company was “delighted” that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy had given planning approval for the project, adding: “Our mission is to deliver the flexible electricity solutions that everyone relies on in a low carbon world, and this project is a major statement of intent. We are excited to be entering a new phase in our growth as an organisation, and will continue to explore opportunities to develop projects which can support the energy transition.”

Construction will begin in 2022, with the battery storage to become fully operational in 2024. We definitely look forward to seeing this project provide storage to the ever-expanding network of solar generation across the UK as we look to cement our place as one of the world leaders in renewable energy.

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