First DC-coupled grid-scale battery storage system in UK begins construction from GE

September 1, 2020
LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email
Image: GE Renewable Energy.

The UK’s first DC-coupled battery energy storage system is under development in a collaboration between GE Renewable Energy and engineering company Wykes.

GE Renewable Energy was chosen by Wykes to deliver the 25MW multiple hour duration energy storage systems, which will be integrated with Wykes’ 60MW solar PV plant at the Chelveston Renewable Energy Park.

The site also has 26MW of wind energy, with Wykes intending to use the storage to add another 60MW of solar capacity, taking total renewable capacity to 146MW.

The company is lauding it as the UK’s first direct-DC-coupled solar deployment where the solar and batteries share a common set of power conversion equipment. This, Wykes said, will help improve overall energy output of the hybrid system while also optimising costs and increasing system reliability and flexibility.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

To read the full version of this story, visit Solar Power Portal.

Read the October 2019 feature article: ‘Go big, go DC: an in-depth look at DC-coupled solar-plus-storage’.

Read Next

January 15, 2026
While coal and gas power plants grapple with cost increases, Australia’s battery storage sector delivers a different story, with costs plummeting across all durations.
January 13, 2026
The Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, has signed a clean energy bill into law that will boost solar PV and energy storage investments in the state, among others.
January 13, 2026
Another busy week of large-scale BESS project news across Europe, led by CountourGlobal putting a 202MW/505MWh BESS into commercial operation in Bulgaria.
January 13, 2026
The UK grid-scale battery storage market grew 45% in 2025, with 4GWh coming online during the year, bringing total operational capacity to 12.9GWh.
January 12, 2026
Curtailment of solar PV and wind continued to increase in Chile last year and passed 6TWh according to the Chilean renewable energy and energy storage association ACERA.