The UK approves its largest solar project in the north-east of the country

The UK approves Cottam's 600 MW solar project, including battery storage, signalling a step forward in its energy strategy.

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The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) grants approval for the 600 MW Cottam solar project developed by Island Green Power.
Located on former Cottam coal-fired power station infrastructure, the project is the largest of its kind in the UK to date.
Its strategic location between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire means that existing network connections can be reused, optimizing costs and deployment.
This approval is part of a series of recent measures by the UK government to boost its renewable energy generation capacity.
In July, three further solar farms with a combined capacity of 1.35 GW were given the go-ahead.
These developments illustrate the government’s determination to significantly increase the share of solar power in the national energy mix, through the reallocation of disused industrial land.

Energy storage and grid flexibility

Cottam’s project is not limited to solar power generation.
It also includes a 600 MW battery storage system, designed to stabilize supply and enhance the resilience of the power grid.
Energy storage is becoming an essential component in the integration of renewable energies, offering a solution to the challenges posed by the intermittency of solar and wind power sources.
This development follows a global trend where renewable energy projects increasingly include storage capabilities to maximize efficiency and profitability.
With this approach, the UK seeks to minimize the risks associated with the variability of solar generation and ensure a more stable and predictable energy supply.

Price trends and competitiveness of solar modules

The project’s approval comes against a backdrop of falling solar module costs in Europe.
According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, module prices delivered in Europe are valued at 0.12 EUR/W for volumes ranging from 5 MW to 50 MW, a significant reduction since July.
This downward trend, reinforced by falling transport costs, is encouraging the development of large-scale solar projects such as the Cottam project.
These economic conditions are creating a favorable environment for solar expansion in the UK, encouraging investment and supporting the competitiveness of domestic projects against European markets.
This situation could also prompt other developers to step up their solar energy and storage projects in the UK.

Solar energy development supported by energy policies

Government support, illustrated by the Cottam project and other recent initiatives, reflects a policy geared towards increasing solar capacity.
In the sixth round of Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions, 3.3 GW of solar projects were awarded, including EDF Renewables’ 500 MW Longfield project.
The support framework established by these CfDs provides crucial revenue predictability for renewable energy developers.
These policies aim to make solar more competitive, notably by integrating storage elements for efficient management of the energy produced.
Projects like Cottam’s demonstrate how business and government are working together to meet energy and energy security objectives.

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GreenYellow is installing several photovoltaic plants and an energy storage system on Altarea's logistics platforms in Bollène and Puceul, through a 30-year PPA contract fully financed by the company.
NextWave Energy Monitoring integrated 529 megawatts of Cenergy solar projects into its PVPulse platform, including the largest 300 MW photovoltaic plant equipped with its monitoring system.
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Two 13 MW solar facilities have been completed at the Fort Polk military site in Louisiana by Onyx Renewables and Corvias as part of a partnership to secure the site’s long-term energy supply.
Photon Energy Group reports quarterly revenue growth driven by solar technology trading, while profitability falls due to a weaker capacity market.
Two photovoltaic projects led by RWE were selected in a federal tender, with commissioning scheduled by the end of 2026, subject to permits.
The public utility Eskom launches a tender to sell long-term solar electricity via PPAs, directly targeting industrial players amid continued pressure on national energy security.
The Norwegian group Scatec strengthens its position in emerging markets with a marked increase in revenue and its portfolio of projects under construction.
The consortium led by Masdar has secured approximately $1.1 billion in financing to build one of the world’s largest solar power plants in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is financing the modernization of Enerjisa Enerji’s electricity distribution network in the Toroslar region, affected by the 2023 earthquakes.

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