Lightsource BP energises its first UK-based BESS – Solar Power Portal

Solar and battery developer Lightsource BP has energised its first UK-based battery energy storage system (BESS) – the first of its global multi-gigawatt pipeline.

The two-hour duration 25MW/50MWh Tiln BESS is co-located with Lightsource BP’s 61MWp solar farm situated in Lincolnshire, a region of the UK that has seen growing interest for large-scale solar-based national significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

Lightsource BP disclosed that the solar and battery assets share grid connection infrastructure and will participate in both traded markets and the provision of ancillary services. The developer did not confirm who had supplied the BESS for the project.

The Tiln Lane solar farm is the first Lightsource BP solar project to go into construction using n-type TOPCon modules, a type of panel using a different mix of materials which reduces material losses and improves efficiency. £40 million had been allocated to fund its construction, and Lightsource BP confirmed that it had also been energised.

Previous coverage by Solar Power Portal revealed that the Tiln solar farm’s generation is being sold to building products manufacturer Forterra via a 15-year corporate power purchase agreement. Around £560,000 has also been invested in biodiversity measures at the site.

Miguel Vega, director of business development, EMEA, at Lightsource BP suggested that energy storage can “help renewable energy take a central role in the world’s electricity network”, adding that it is “imperative that renewables, with solar at the forefront, are established as the backbone of low-carbon energy systems”.

Lightsource BP continues to expand its solar and battery prowess

It has been a busy few months for Lightsource BP, with the company fully acquired by oil and gas giant BP in late November 2023 via the acquisition of the remaining 50.03% stake.

The company has a presence across 19 countries and has a pipeline of 61GW, particularly in the European market. In the same month, the group requested submissions for its latest multi-buyer corporate power purchase agreement, a move it claimed would enable smaller businesses to access solar power in Europe. This was covered in our sister publication, PV-Tech.

The company first implemented this multi-buyer PPA model in October this year, signing a PPA with the Fashion Pact, a collective of fashion and textiles companies. As part of that agreement, the individual fashion companies were able to access electricity produced by Lightsource BP’s solar projects, without taking on the risk associated with individually signing a large-scale PPA, and Lightsource BP is looking to bring that model to other industries in Europe.

Solar Power Portal’s publisher Solar Media will host the 9th annual Energy Storage Summit EU in London, 20-21 February 2024. This year it is moving to a larger venue, bringing together Europe’s leading investors, policymakers, developers, utilities, energy buyers and service providers all in one place. Visit the official site for more info.

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