2024 has been a memorable year for the solar and energy storage industry in the UK. The sector has seen significant developments with a projected increase in large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) and NSIP projects that are generating excitement. The energy portal Solar Power Portal has reported fascinating stories that have resonated within the industry, ranging from predictions of a surge in energy storage to innovations in solar farms and major scientific breakthroughs.
The year 2024 has been dynamic for the solar and storage industry in the UK, with particular interest in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The capacity of these systems is expected to grow rapidly, rising from 36 GW in 2022 to an impressive 353 GW.
In February, a report by Aurora Energy Research announced a sevenfold increase in large-scale BESS capacity in Europe. According to Bloomberg, the UK outpaced all other European nations by adding more large-scale storage capacity in 2022 and is set to quintuple its energy storage capacity by 2030.
Another significant milestone this year has been the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which has seen several large initiatives come to fruition. For example, the granting of consent orders for development totaling over 1.3 GW of renewable energy generation capacity has been achieved. This progress continues with projects such as those from Island Green Power, which plans to develop a solar and storage project with a potential capacity of 500 MW.
In Somerset, planning is underway for the installation of a solar farm with battery storage on the Sandringham royal estate. This project illustrates the growing recognition of solar energy as a key component for a sustainable energy future.
a rapid advancement of BESS in 2024
In 2024, Europe witnessed an explosion in the capacity of BESS (battery energy storage systems) with a remarkable sevenfold growth compared to the previous year. The UK, at the forefront of this evolution, significantly increased its energy storage capacity, outpacing its European neighbors. The Aurora Energy Research report projected this upward trend as early as February, predicting that the UK’s energy storage capacity would quintuple by 2030. Read the full report on Green Just Now for a detailed analysis.
the success of NSIP projects in England
2024 has been a spectacular year for NSIPs in the solar sector in the UK. Renewable energy benefited from political support with the granting of several development consent orders (DCOs), supporting a capacity of over 1.3GW. Among these projects are the 500MW Gate Burton solar park and the solar-plus-storage Sunnica Energy Farm, which are notable examples. Check out the details of the Sunnica project on Green Just Now.
solar innovations and biodiversity
Solar innovations have not only focused on increasing energy production but also on preserving biodiversity. In March, a study conducted by Solar Energy UK revealed that solar farms are genuine havens for biodiversity, sheltering vulnerable and endangered species such as skylarks. This study demonstrates the positive impact of solar parks on local wildlife. For an in-depth exploration, consult SolarPowerPortal. At the same time, scientists at Oxford have developed a thin-film innovation that pushes the current limits of photovoltaic cells, promising a superior conversion of 27%. For the more curious, visit Solar Power Europe.
