Member Article

Energy minister joins Anesco at solar and storage facility

Minister of State for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, Greg Hands MP, recently joined Anesco CEO Mark Futyan, for a tour of an operational solar and storage facility and to discuss some of the key issues impacting the industry.

Fell View Farm in Preston comprises 12MW solar and 2MW battery storage and is part of a portfolio of more than 100 solar farms and 30 storage facilities developed by Anesco in the UK. During his visit, Mr Hands was able to see the renewable energy development in action, while learning more about Anesco and exploring some of the key challenges facing the growth of the sector.

As part of a commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the UK government plans to decarbonise the country’s electricity generation by 2035. Renewable power sources, including solar and wind, currently account for just over one third of energy generation.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands said: “Solar projects like Anesco’s Fell View Farm are a key component in the UK’s green energy mix. This will help ensure we have the secure, clean, homegrown energy to enable us to move away from polluting fossil fuels and exposure to the volatility of global energy prices.

“The government has committed to sustained growth in locally supported solar energy over the next decade and solar energy is taking its place in the latest round of our Contracts for Difference renewable energy support scheme, which has now opened.

“This scheme is proof that green and growth go hand-in-hand as it continues to be a key driver behind our world-leading renewable energy sector that is creating jobs, driving down costs for consumers and opening investment and export opportunities.”

Mark Futyan, Anesco CEO, commented: “It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Hands to an Anesco operated site, to see first-hand a development that is contributing to a low carbon energy system.

“Solar and storage have a vital role to play if the UK is to achieve its net zero ambitions and as a country, we’re well positioned to make that happen. We have one of the most advanced solar and storage markets in the world and expect to see 2GW per year of new build solar and 1GW a year of energy storage introduced in the coming years.

“For our part, at Anesco we have 2.5 GW of solar and storage projects in our pipeline and plan to install between 200-300 MW of new capacity each year in the UK.”

Mark continued: “In the past twelve months we have seen significant new capital keen to invest in the sector, but a lot more will be needed along with suitable projects and policies that support much needed growth”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anesco Limited .