Exploring this week's industry updates with ?????? ???????????????? as we take a look into the latest industry developments. The UK gets a vote of confidence from Japan, UK's Net Zero path narrows and SSE leads the way with the UK'S largest BESS project. The UK solar industry thrives with new initiatives, including space powered solar innovations and huge investments for solar capture project. Were taking a look at the key trends and developments that have happened this week which promise to shape the landscape of sustainable energy. ??????
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Catch up on the latest news, policy changes and trends.
- UK Renewable Industry Gets A Vote of Confidence From Japan - The U.K.'s renewable energy industry received a major boost on 15th April after Japan's largest power company – JERA – selected the country's capital London as the location of its global renewables business headquarters. The move follows a decision by JERA to launch JERA Nex, the power company's new dedicated global renewable energy business to "develop, invest in, own and operate a range of renewable energy assets, including offshore and onshore wind, solar and battery storage." Read the full story.
- UK' Net Zero Path Narrows - A new report highlights the narrowing path to achieving net zero by 2050, stressing the importance of accelerated deployment of clean technology. Energy Systems Catapult has identified credible pathways for the UK’s transition. The report underscores the crucial role of mature technologies like offshore wind, solar power, nuclear energy and electric heating, along with the need for accelerated innovation in areas such as small modular reactors and long-duration energy storage. Read the full story.
- Majority of UK Pension Funds Set to Increase Renewable Energy Allocations - 95% of UK pension funds and insurers expect to increase their allocations to renewable energy assets over the next five years, research from AlphaReal has revealed .Of those, more than one third (35 per cent) expect to increase their allocation by up to 10 per cent, while nearly half (44 per cent) plan to raise allocations by between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, and 16 per cent are set to boost their allocations by more than 20 per cent. Read the full story.
- Hometree Receives Funding From BlackRock for Further Acquisitions - Hometree, the London based energy firm, has secured funding from BlackRock to buy up renewable energy and heat pump installers. Funds managed by BlackRock, the US investment giant run by Larry Fink, have committed ￡7.5 million to the project, an amount that could rise far higher, sources say, if the scheme is a success. Read the full story.
- British Gas Expands Solar Reach - British Gas has partnered with Forster Group to offer nationwide solar power and battery storage installations. The collaboration seeks to meet the increasing demand for solar panel and battery storage technology among homeowners. The new partnership is expected to boost the number of accredited engineers working with British Gas by 55%. Read the full story.
- ESO Proposes Retrospective Use of Solar Grid Connection - The UK’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) has proposed applying the ‘First Ready, First Connected’ approach to existing solar projects in the queue. The long-term connection reforms were first announced in December 2023 and would have then only applied to new connection applications and significant Modification Applications received from January 2025 onwards. Read the full story.
Discovering the cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are driving sustainability and reshaping the industry.
- UK Startup's Space-Based Solar Power - A UK startup called Space Solar has made an exciting announcement that could change the way we use renewable energy. They’ve come up with a new way to produce energy that’s both cheap and dependable, and it’s available all day, every single day, thanks to space based solar power. This project plans to send big satellites into space with solar panels on them. Read the full article.
- ￡1.1m Awarded to Solar Energy Capture Project - The EPSRC has awarded ￡1.1m to a Surrey University led project, which aims to develop solar-thermal devices that can heat our homes and generate power on a larger scale. The research sought to create new designs for surfaces that can selectively absorb sunlight while also efficiently emitting heat in the form of near-infrared radiation. Read the full article.
- Feasibility Trial Launched in UK to Test EV Charging Flexibility - An electric car charging trial has been jointly launched by British EV charging company Pod Point and Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, to demonstrate how EV charging can be used as a valuable flexibility source in the ESO’s Balancing Mechanism. Over 2,000 joint British Gas and Pod Point customers were recruited for the trial, which went live at the end of February 2024.
This weeks projects and initiatives that are making a positive impact.
- SSE's First Battery Storage Project Now Fully Operational in Salisbury - The 50MW / 100MWh BESS project, which could power more than?80,000 homes?for two hours at times of peak demand, is SSE's?first operational battery site. The asset is now trading in Great Britain’s wholesale energy market following the completion last week of final energisation tests at the site. Read the full story.
- Q Energy Building 33-MWp Solar Farm in UK - European renewables developer Q Energy announced that its 33-MWp solar project called Whinfield Solar is advancing through construction near Darlington, England. The plant will consist of nearly 60,000 ground-mounted solar panels and is projected to generate enough electricity to power over 8,700 homes, the firm said. Read the full story.
- SSE Announces Partners for 640MWh Battery Storage Project - Morrison Energy Services and Sungrow have been announced as partners for SSE Renewable’s 320MW Yorkshire battery storage project. Located in Monk Fryston, North Yorkshire, the site aims to energise in late 2025 after SSE made a final investment decision on the project back in November 2023. Once operational, it will be one of the largest battery storage systems in the country, capable of powering over half a million UK homes for up to two hours at a time. Read the full story.
- Bath Leisure Centre Receives Government Funding For Rooftop Solar - Bath & North East Somerset Council has been awarded ￡173,166 in UK government funding to install solar on top of the Bath Sports & Leisure Centre. Up to a 212kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) array will be installed on the leisure centre’s central roof area, subject to approval from a roof survey. Read the full story.
- Large M1 Solar Farm Would Put Village Under 'Great Threat'
- Octopus Energy Extends Reach into South America With Energisa Partnership
Highlighting this weeks hottest jobs in the renewable industry.
- Planning & Environmental PM | Cornwall | Up to ￡28k - View Job
- Solar O&M Engineer | Cornwall | Up to ￡40k - View Job
- Planning & Admin Assistant | Cornwall | Up to ￡23,400 - View Job
- Solar Project Manager | Cornwall | Up to ￡50k - View Job
- Solar Electrical Installer | Cornwall | Up to ￡38k - View Job
- Senior Power Electronics Engineer | Oxfordshire | Up to ￡65k - View Job
- Head of EHS | Oxfordshire | Up to ￡80k - View Job
- EHS Business Partner | Oxfordshire | Up to ￡55k - View Job
For all the latest roles, updates and help with hiring specialist, cleantech talent check out Zero Global - Shaping the future #WithPurpose
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