Anesco opens ‘subsidy free’ solar farm with battery storage

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Clayhill solar and battery farm

Renewable energy developer Anesco has officially opened a colocated solar and battery storage plant in Bedfordshire.

Solar capacity is 10MW at the Clayhill site, with 6MW of battery capacity and the company says it is the first solar farm in the UK to operate without a subsidy.

While investors remain keen on acquiring solar farms with guaranteed incomes, support schemes are now closed. But there are still viable projects, particularly colocated with storage, according to Anesco.

The firm plans to bid power generated by the Clayhill development into the T-4 capacity market, which, if successful, would generate additional support payments.

The battery will also be used to provide frequency response services and is part of a storage pipeline of some 185MW that Anesco plans to complete by the end of 2018. The company already operates around 480MW of solar from over 100 farms.

“Clayhill is a landmark development and paves the way for a sustainable future, where subsidies are no longer needed or relied upon. Importantly, it proves that the Government’s decision to withdraw subsidies doesn’t have to signal the end of solar as a commercially viable technology,” said Anesco executive chairman Steve Shine.

“By deciding to colocate the 6MW battery storage unit and by working closely with our supply chain partners, we have been able to achieve a subsidy-free development.”

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