The UK saw 1,590MW/3,179MWh of grid-scale BESS projects approved last month, bringing the total approved projects to around 55.4GW/117GWh.
That’s according to the latest data from Solar Media Market Research’s ‘Battery Storage: UK Pipeline & Completed Assets Database’ report.
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The quantity of battery energy storage system (BESS) pipeline with planning consent is a roughly 5% increase on the 52.3GW/111.5GWh at the end of March, which itself was a roughly 5% increase on the 50.2GW/106.2GWh at the end of January, the data shows.
Major projects that were awarded planning consent last month include a 200MW/400MWh BESS from OnPath Energy and a 456MW project from Gresham House, both in Scotland, first reported by our colleagues at Solar Power Portal.
The milestone of planning consent could be crucial during regulator Ofgem’s reshuffle of the grid connection queue. January and February actually saw larger figures of BESS projects being approved, around 2,455MW/5,300MWh and 2,820MW/5,639MWh respectively.
The increase in operational capacity was comparatively lower in March than previous months, inching up around 1.7% to 6,374MW/9,043MWh from last month’s figure. The commissioning of Pulse Clean Energy’s 42MW/100MWh Hyde BESS, covered on Solar Power Portal, accounted for a big chunk of that increase.
The UK is Europe’s largest grid-scale BESS market, although Germany is larger overall if you include residential and commercial & industrial (C&I), as recent data from research firm LCP Delta and trade body EASE showed.
Our Market Research colleagues meanwhile estimate that around 700MW/1,400MWh of BESS projects started construction in the UK in the past month, meaning a total of around 18GWh is under construction.
Held alongside the Battery Show Expo Europe in Stuttgart, Energy Storage Germany spotlights Germany’s rapid ascent in the European storage sector. Once driven by residential demand, utility-scale projects are now surging, with 184 MW added across 44 projects in 2023. With nearly 16 GWh of capacity installed in the first half of 2024, Germany is set to integrate 24 GW of utility-scale energy storage by 2037, creating substantial opportunities.
The UK & Ireland is the most mature and established energy storage market in Europe, with just over 5GW of total operational capacity at the start of 2025. With over 130GW in the pipeline for the UK and Ireland, the growth potential of this market is immense. With this in mind, everyone is asking, ‘how best to maximise battery assets?’ This event has established itself as a key industry platform, bringing together asset owners with the experts who can provide the answers – from optimisers and software providers to O&M specialists and more. The summit will equip the industry for the future, delving into the key pillars of asset management, exploring operational challenges, and spotlighting the latest developments in optimisation and software innovation.
Across two packed days, the Summit focused on three core themes: revenue & trading, the lifecycle of the battery, and optimisation tools. Attendees explored innovative strategies for enhancing asset performance and longevity, with a spotlight on key markets like Germany, Italy, and the UK. Stay tuned for details on the 2025 edition of the Battery Asset Management Summit Europe, where we’ll continue to chart the path forward for energy storage asset management.
InterContinental London – The O2, London, UK
This isn’t just another summit – it’s our biggest and most exhilarating Summit yet! Picture this: immersive workshop spaces where ideas come to life, dedicated industry working groups igniting innovation, live podcasts sparking lively discussions, hard-hitting keynotes that will leave you inspired, and an abundance of networking opportunities that will take your connections to new heights!
developers, EnergyStorageEurope, europe, grid, grid connection, interconnection queue, market research, monthly deployments, ofgem, planning consent, solar media market research, uk
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