Grid-scale

3 GW of battery and solar projects in UK move ahead

Fotowatio Renewable Ventures and Conrad Energy are each progressing major solar-plus-battery storage pipelines in the UK.

By

Marija Maisch

Nov 17, 2025

Spain’s FRV has, through its majority owned joint venture platform, FRV Powertek, submitted a portfolio of 1.8 GW of fully permitted renewable and battery energy storage projects to the UK’s Gate 2 window of the NESO’s Connection Reform process. These projects are seeking advanced connection dates pre-2030, with proposed energisation between 2026 and 2029.

The portfolio includes both solar plants and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Amongst the most prominent projects are the Bicker Fen (400 MW), Stocking Pelham (400 MW), Stow Manor (400 MW), Ansty (200 MW) and Maes Melin (200 MW) BESS projects.

In addition, the Malice Farm project will combine 50 MW of solar generation with co-located storage. The portfolio also includes the Hollybush (50 MW / 200 MWh) and Dunbar (50 MW / 200 MWh) BESS projects, each holding protected grid connection dates in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

This pipeline reinforces FRV’s strategic presence in the United Kingdom—the country where it commissioned its first global storage plant, Holes Bay, in 2020. Since then, FRV has brought three storage facilities into operation (Holes Bay, Contego, and Clay Tye), totalling 140 MW / 280 MWh.

Ravinder Shan, Managing Director of FRV Powertek Limited, said: “The 1.8 GW portfolio submitted into the Gate 2 grid reform process is protected, significantly advanced, and will be ready to build once we receive firm connection dates from NESO.”

In a separate announcement, independent power producer Conrad Energy has selected Aurora Utilities, a new Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) in Great Britain, as its preferred network operator to connect a major new portfolio of renewable energy projects across the UK.

Aurora will adopt and operate the electrical infrastructure for Conrad Energy’s entire 1.2 GW pipeline of solar and battery energy storage projects, which are scheduled for delivery over the next three to five years.

Conrad said that it selected Aurora for its expertise in connections up to 132 kV and a curated G81 equipment list, ensuring tailored design options and streamlined delivery. Aurora was granted a UK-wide licence by Ofgem in April 2024, and launched in July 2024.

Written by

Marija Maisch
Marija has years of experience in a news agency environment and writing for print and online publications. She took over as the editor of pv magazine Australia in 2018 and helped establish its online presence over a two-year period.
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