Cero Generation and Enso Energy have announced the financial close of their 49.5MW battery energy storage system (BESS).
European specialist Cero Generation together with its UK development partner Enso Energy will open the BESS at its solar farm, in Iron Acton, maximising the efficiency of the site and allowing a greater output of clean energy.
Located just outside of Bristol, in Gloucestershire, this project will provide a clean, secure, and cheaper power source for the local community and has a biodiversity net gain, providing shelter and food for a range of protected species.
Due to be operational in late 2024, the battery will be co-located with the 49.9MW Larks Green solar farm, which was energised earlier in May.
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Financed by Rabobank, it will provide reserves of energy, helping to balance the intermittent nature of renewables and enabling more clean energy projects to connect to the UK system. Moreover, it will be the UK’s first co-located solar and battery storage project to feed electricity directly into the transmission network, with the BESS project connecting to the transmission system using the same connection point as the solar farm, maximising efficiency, enabling a greater output of clean energy and lowering costs for consumers.
The project marks a significant milestone for Cero. The company, in partnership with Enso, has over 30 other stand-alone or co-located battery projects (c. 2GW) in its UK pipeline.
Marta Martinez Queimadelos, chief executive of Cero Generation, said: “We’re delighted to announce our first financial close for one of our battery energy storage projects. Co-location enables solar power to go further, maximising the benefits renewables bring to the table and helping to accelerate the UK’s net zero transition. We’re particularly excited that this battery is co-located with our Larks Green solar farm, which was the first solar farm in the UK to connect directly to the transmission network, marking not only an industry first but also a national milestone.
"It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Enso, Canadian Solar, EDF and Rabobank, and I’m grateful to everyone involved in reaching this stage. Collaboration is crucial to the changes and progress we need to see across sectors to build a sustainable future.”
Andrew King, director of Enso Energy, commented: “Another major milestone reached on the road to the decarbonisation of energy in the UK, and at Enso we are all very proud to have been involved in this pioneering project from inception. The co-location of solar power and battery will allow optimisation of the site as a source of renewable generation and storage, and also provides us with a template for our portfolio of transmission connected sites in the pipeline. Working with Cero and with Rabobank, as well as Canadian Solar and EDF, we have collectively been able to deliver this landmark project and make transmission connected solar and battery a reality in the UK.”
Maartje Marchand, director project finance at Rabobank, added: “Rabobank Project Finance congratulates Cero Generation on reaching financial close of this 49.5MW/99MWh battery energy storage system in Gloucestershire. Rabobank is pleased to act as sole lender on the battery storage project after successfully reaching financial close on the solar PV project in 2021. We’d like to thank Cero Generation for choosing Rabobank again, and we value the strong and pleasant cooperation which was key to bringing this battery project to a successful close.”
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