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’.

13 October 2026
London, UK
Now in its second edition, the Summit provides a dedicated platform for UK & Ireland’s BESS community to share practical insights on performance, degradation, safety, market design and optimisation strategies. As storage deployment accelerates towards 2030 targets, attendees gain the tools needed to enhance returns and operate resilient, efficient assets.

Read Next

April 30, 2026
There’s been progress on several large-scale BESS projects in the UK, with Matrix Renewables securing financing for its Eccles project and BW ESS enlisting EDF to optimise its Hams Hall one; plus smaller announcements.
April 30, 2026
US investment group Pantheon Atlas LLC has a planned 1GW hyperscaler data centre campus in Croatia will be supplied entirely by renewables.
April 29, 2026
Trinasolar’s Europe & LAC president, Gonzalo de la Viña, discusses Trina Storage, the Chinese solar PV giant’s battery storage business, its strategies and projects.
April 28, 2026
IPP Grenergy has entered into a long-term toll with an ‘investment grade’ international utility for a solar PV co-located BESS of 680MWh in Spain.
April 28, 2026
Sumitomo Electric will supply a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) energy storage system to enable grid integration of wind energy in Hokkaido, northern Japan.