Acquisition of JBM Solar: RWE strengthens its solar and storage capacities

RWE has strengthened its solar and storage capabilities by acquiring JBM Solar. With this acquisition, RWE takes control of a pipeline of mature projects with a combined capacity of 6.1 GW, positioning the company among the three largest solar developers in the United Kingdom.

Share:

RWE announced the acquisition of JBM Solar with a team of about 30 professionals. This acquisition allows RWE to significantly accelerate its solar development in the UK and to position itself among the top three developers in the country.

A 6.1 GWac solar and battery storage development pipeline

With the acquisition of JBM Solar, RWE obtains a mature pipeline with a combined capacity of approximately 6.1 GWac, split between 3.8 GWac of solar projects and 2.3 GWac of battery storage. Most projects are located in the central and southern regions of England and a large proportion already have grid connections and secure land. A number of projects are ready for a final investment decision and have obtained the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities. The first solar energy storage projects could be operational as early as late 2024, averaging about 450 MWac per year.

Well positioned in the UK renewable energy market

Katja Wünschel, CEO of Onshore Wind and Solar Europe & Australia at RWE Renewables, said the acquisition significantly strengthens RWE’s position in the UK renewable energy market. She also emphasized that growth in solar and battery storage capacity is a priority for the UK government, with a five-fold increase in targeted solar capacity over the next 13 years, from 14 GW today to 70 GW by 2035. The government is also targeting an ambitious expansion of battery storage, with capacity expected to more than quadruple by 2026.

An investment of 50 billion euros by 2030

RWE has ambitions to grow its green baseload business internationally and plans to invest more than €50 billion by 2030, including about €15 billion for the UK market. The company already has a strong presence in wind power in the UK, with a combined capacity of over 2.6 GW (RWE pro-rata) comprising 10 offshore and 33 onshore wind farms in operation. With other offshore wind projects under construction or in development and commercial floating wind projects in the pipeline, RWE has one of the largest offshore wind pipelines in the UK.

GreenYellow and Meaders Feeds Ltd finalise a second 1.8 MWp solar project under the Carbon Neutral Industrial Sector Scheme aimed at decarbonising the Mauritian industrial sector.
The Lime Kiln project, developed by Chaberton Energy and Pivot Energy, will provide renewable energy to 500 homes and businesses in Maryland, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
MPC Energy Solutions has signed an agreement to sell its stake in the Planeta Rica solar project in Colombia. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025.
EDF power solutions has commissioned the Aéroparc photovoltaic plant, with a capacity of 42.2 MWp, in the Territoire de Belfort, making a significant contribution to the region's energy transition.
The overproduction of solar energy in Europe is causing a drop in captured prices, undermining the profitability of producers. In Germany, Spain, and France, capture prices are at record lows, with profound economic consequences.
Altarea Energies Renouvelables has started work on its first ground-mounted photovoltaic plant in Caudecoste, marking a new milestone in its development. The 7 MWc plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
Chinese manufacturer JinkoSolar has delivered three energy storage systems totalling 21.6 MWh to the American company Distributed Energy Infrastructure, as part of the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) programme aimed at strengthening local solar infrastructure.
TotalEnergies ENEOS has commissioned two photovoltaic installations totalling 1.2 MWp for marine logistics group Lee Huat Yap Kee in Singapore, under two long-term power purchase agreements with no upfront investment.
TCL Solar has concluded two exclusive partnerships in Suzhou with AU Solar and Madina Solar to supply 250 megawatts of photovoltaic modules to the Pakistani market, addressing rapidly growing local energy demand.
Mitrex secures Guinness Record for the largest integrated solar facade globally, combining photovoltaics and cultural art in Edmonton, covering over 30,000 square feet with installed capacity exceeding 265 kW.
EDF power solutions completes the acquisition of the 500MW Gate Burton solar-battery project from the company Low Carbon, strengthening its presence in hybrid photovoltaic-storage solutions in the United Kingdom.
The global photovoltaic films market is expected to see significant growth, reaching $41.59bn by 2034 due to the development of new solar technologies and the increasing demand for encapsulation suited to these innovations, a recent study indicates.
Italian group Plenitude has begun building Entrenúcleos, a 200 MW photovoltaic plant near Seville, set to deliver more than 435 GWh a year from 2026 while trialling locally produced green steel.
The state-controlled refiner has launched a 7.5-megawatt photovoltaic unit off Qingdao, the country’s first commercial installation designed for fully saline waters, intended to supply its future renewable hydrogen production.
The Emirati company Global South Utilities plans to install up to 250 MW of solar capacity in Madagascar, a project aimed at strengthening the national electricity network heavily reliant on fossil fuels and frequently facing energy deficits.
Emerging economies from the BRICS group now account for more than half of global solar electricity production in 2024, driven mainly by China, India, and Brazil, according to a new report by the organisation Ember.
Star Trade, a subsidiary of HD Renewable Energy, has signed a power purchase agreement with Lightsource bp to manage electricity distribution from a 115 MWp solar project located in Chiayi, strengthening their presence in the Taiwanese market.
TotalEnergies will develop a 1.8 MW photovoltaic installation for Daehwa Pharmaceutical, covering approximately 20% of the annual energy requirements of the production site located in Hoengseong-gun, South Korea, under a 20-year agreement.
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners announces full operational launch of Cleve Hill Solar Park, now becoming the largest active photovoltaic power plant in the United Kingdom with a total installed capacity reaching 373 MW.
European photovoltaic module manufacturer BISOL is integrating G12R solar cells into its product range, replacing the former M10 cells, to improve product performance and technological competitiveness starting from the second quarter of 2025.