For the second time in less than a year, British renewables developer Windel Energy and integrated module manufacturer Canadian Solar have teamed up to develop a big UK pipeline of grid-scale storage.
The pair have announced an agreement under which Windel will deliver 1.5 GW of early-stage battery projects under development through to ready-to-build (“RTB”) status. Canadian Solar will provide funding, support and introductions to off-takers, including for power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Founded in 2018, Blyth-based Windel says it has secured its latest 1.5 GW pipeline in only 8 months. The latest announcement adds to the duo’s deal last December to co-develop 1.4 GWp of solar-related ventures.
“Canadian Solar have developed and supply their own integrated (battery) solutions, making them the perfect partner,” said Gary Toomey, Windel’s managing director of energy.
Canadian has acquired much of its experience in battery design and commissioning in the USA, where its subsidiary Recurrent Energy claims 9.2 GWh of storage in development, including retrofits and upgrades. It developed two projects up to 140 MW in California, selling both on to Goldman Sachs Renewable Power.
Since foundation by Dr Shawn Qu in Canada in 2001, Canadian Solar claims to have successfully delivered over 59 GWp of premium-quality PV modules.
Entering the project development business in 2010, it says it has built and connected over 6.1 GWp of generation projects in more than 20 countries.
