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

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.
3 November 2026
Málaga, Spain
Understanding technology and supplier selection for Europe’s utility-scale PV market in 2027. PV ModuleTech Europe 2026 is a two-day conference that tackles these challenges directly, with an agenda that addresses all aspects of PV module, inverter and battery supplier selection; product availability, technology offerings, supply chain traceability, quality assurance, factory auditing, system reliability, and supplier bankability.

Read Next

September 11, 2026
Greek renewables developer Metlen Energy & Metals has signed an agreement with utility Copec for the sale of the Tamarico II solar-plus-storage project in Chile’s Atacama region.
September 11, 2026
Our collection of user-posted analysis, views, and unofficial news, gathered from our networks on LinkedIn, returns for its third outing.
Premium
September 10, 2026
We hear from Angus Gordon Lennox, chair of the Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (GSF), which faces a shareholder vote next week on its future. 
September 9, 2026
This edition of news in brief brings you BESS news from the UK market featuring Field, Eelpower and EDF, as reported by our colleagues at Solar Power Portal.
September 9, 2026
Ayala’s ACEN Corp has loaned PHP9 billion (US$144 million) to subsidiaries within the group for renewable energy and battery storage projects.