The UK's booming battery storage sector

The UK's battery storage capacity is growing rapidly, with over 1.6 GW of operational projects as of 2023, according to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. The government has set an ambitious target of reaching 18 GW of storage capacity by 2035, including 10 GW from long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies like batteries.

How many battery storage sites are there in the UK?

As of Q1 2023, there were over 100 operational battery storage projects in the UK, with many more in the pipeline. The largest operational site is the 100 MW Minety project in Wiltshire, which can store enough electricity to power around 10,000 homes for a day.

What is the UK's target for battery storage?

The UK government aims to have 18 GW of storage capacity by 2035, including 10 GW from long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies like batteries. This is part of the wider goal to achieve a fully decarbonized electricity system by 2035. As such, developers stand to profit handsomely from identifying suitable development sites.

What makes an ideal battery storage site?

When scouting for potential battery storage locations, developers should consider the following factors:

1. Grid connection: Proximity to a strong, unconstrained grid connection is essential. Look for sites near substations or transmission lines with spare capacity.
2. Land type: Battery storage projects can be built on a variety of land types, including brownfield sites, industrial land, and even agricultural land (with the necessary planning permissions).
3. Site size: Depending on the project's capacity, you'll typically need between 0.5 to 2 acres of land per MW of storage.
4. Accessibility: The site should have good road access for construction and maintenance vehicles.
5. Local planning policy: Some local authorities are more supportive of battery storage than others. Research the relevant local plan policies and any designated areas for energy infrastructure.

How Searchland can power up your site search

Finding off-market sites that tick all the boxes for a battery storage project is no easy task. But with Searchland's advanced site sourcing tools, you can boost your search and secure the best locations before your competitors. 

The Searchland platform gives you instant access to the UK's most comprehensive source of land and property data, including grid connection information, planning history, ownership details, and more. Use our intuitive filters to narrow down your search by land type, size, proximity to infrastructure, and other key criteria.

Once you've identified potential sites, our automated land registry tool lets you quickly uncover ownership information and contact details for off-market opportunities. You can even launch targeted letter campaigns to reach out to landowners directly, all within the Searchland platform.

Leading renewable energy specialists like Greenfield are already using Searchland to fuel their battery storage pipelines:

“We’ll be sourcing sites on Searchland until we’re out of substations”- Elisha Richards, Project Lead at Greenfield.

Find your next battery storage site with Searchland

As the UK charges towards a cleaner, more flexible energy system, sourcing battery storage sites is more important than ever. For developers who can identify and secure the best sites, the opportunities are massive. 

Want us to help you find your next battery storage site? Book a demo today.

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