Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 24, Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator, has confirmed that 77 projects have met the eligibility criteria for the Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) cap and floor support scheme. Out of 171 applications, these projects have progressed to the full assessment stage, supporting investment in technologies that store and release electricity for at least eight hours.

Coire Glas in Scotland is one of the projects that has passed the eligibility stage

The approved projects include five pumped storage hydro (PSH) initiatives, totaling 4.6GW of capacity: Coire Glas (1,450MW, Track 2), Earba (1,800MW, Track 2), Glenmuckloch (210MW, Track 1), Loch Kemp (660MW, Track 1), and Loch na Cathrach (500MW, Track 1). Other technologies advancing include lithium-ion batteries, vanadium flow batteries, compressed air, and liquid air storage, reflecting a diverse approach to enhancing energy system flexibility.

Beatrice Filkin, Director of Major Projects Infrastructure at Ofgem, stated: “Renewable power is the key to seizing control of our own energy system and end the costly reliance on the turbulent wholesale gas market, so we don’t want to see a single watt go to waste. That’s why we need to boost our ability to store as much homegrown energy as we can to let the turbines keep turning when the wind is at its strongest – and on the days when the gusts drop and the sun doesn’t shine that reserve of excess clean power can be called upon. There’s lots of different ways you can do this – with batteries, compressed air or pumped hydro storage – and we’ll consider them all, as this technology is vital for a modern energy system.”

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “This is another huge step forward in reversing the legacy that has seen no new long duration storage built for 40 years – a technology that will see Britain take back control of its energy supply and protect billpayers for good. By scaling this up, we can transform the way electricity is supplied in this country when demand is high – using stored up low-cost, homegrown solar and wind power to help end our reliance on costly fossil fuel markets once and for all.”

Ofgem will now request detailed submissions from the eligible projects, with final decisions on cap and floor revenue support expected in summer 2026. The scheme aims to enhance energy security and efficiency by enabling the storage of surplus renewable energy, supporting the UK’s transition to a sustainable energy future.