Wedoany.com Report-Jun 3, EDF has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Aukera to acquire all renewable energy generated from the Benthead Solar Farm, a new project in north Ayrshire, Scotland, co-located with a 31MW battery energy storage system (BESS). This marks the first collaboration between EDF and Aukera.

The 84.5MW Benthead project is expected to produce over 78.4GWh of electricity annually, sufficient to power more than 25,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 17,000 tonnes each year. Commissioning is planned for 2026, with the site projected to generate between 705GWh and 862GWh over the PPA’s nine-to-eleven-year term, depending on the battery’s commissioning date.

The project, fully owned by Aukera, is part of a 250MW portfolio and secured a 15-year Contract for Difference in the UK’s Allocation Round 6, supporting investment in renewable energy. The site features a 63MW grid connection shared between the solar farm and the AC-coupled battery, optimizing energy exports for maximum grid value.

EDF will leverage its PowerShift platform, utilizing AI-driven real-time trading, to optimize the battery’s performance and enhance revenue. Pexapark served as Aukera’s commercial advisor, providing guidance on the PPA and BESS agreements’ structure.

The Benthead project exemplifies the growing trend of hybrid renewable energy developments in the UK, with 40% of advanced-stage wind and solar projects, totaling 10.6GW, incorporating BESS facilities, according to the UK’s Renewable Energy Planning Database.

Christopher Dalley, Director of Wholesale Market Services at EDF, stated: “We are proud to partner with Aukera on this exciting project which reflects our shared vision of a cleaner, more flexible energy system. The integration of long-term PPA stability with cutting-edge battery optimisation through PowerShift demonstrates how EDF supports the UK’s net zero ambitions while unlocking greater value for renewable asset owners.”

Mike Forber, Pexapark’s UK and Ireland regional lead for PPA and BESS transactions, said: “It has been a pleasure to support Aukera with this agreement, securing long-term revenues for Aukera’s first solar and storage hybrid project that will deliver significant value to the UK energy system. We expect PPAs for solar-plus-storage to increase significantly over the next few years, and deals like this help lay the groundwork for market growth.”

This partnership supports the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure in the UK, combining solar generation and battery storage to enhance grid reliability and sustainability.