Since the general election, the Conservatives have changed their energy policy, shifting the focus away from solar and wind farms. Instead the Conservatives have focused towards nuclear power, shale gas, energy storage and improved energy efficiency.
One of the main drivers for this shift in energy policy has been caused by the government’s push to drive down the level of subsidies which have benefited farmers and landowners. With the huge growth in the renewable energy sector over the past few years, landowners have been ideally positioned to take a stake in renewable energy production.
One of the new technologies which has grown in popularity recently is the use of energy storage. Due to the high demand for energy landowners are being incentivized to use one of three systems diesel generators, battery barns or containerized battery storage to generate/release electricity during periods of peak demand. Energy storage systems store energy during periods of low demand and release electricity to the grid during the daytime when demand peaks.
Suitable sites need to be near 33kV electricity lines with spare grid capacity, and near a substation. A typical offer for a battery barn for a landowner is a 2-year option to allow for planning and grid applications to be completed, followed by a 25-year lease for the site. The landowner will also get paid an RPI linked rent based on the installation’s capacity upon installation of the scheme. At the end of the 25-year lease, the landowner becomes the owner of the building, and all the batteries and equipment are removed by the tenant.
If you think that you have a site suitable for such an installation and would like to investigate its potential, please contact us so that we can look into the feasibility of your site and advise you on any further actions.