Today’s renewable energy news includes announcements from Alpiq, Greenfield, EDF, among others.
Alpiq Unveils Plans for 1.2-GWh Battery Storage Project in Switzerland
Alpiq has announced plans to develop a 300-MW/1.2-GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Niedergösgen, Switzerland, adjacent to its Gösgen hydropower facility. The project is expected to become one of the largest battery storage installations in the country and represents a major step in strengthening Switzerland’s energy flexibility infrastructure. The company has already secured a 300-MW grid connection agreement with Swissgrid, marking a key milestone in the project’s development. A key innovation is the combination of large-scale battery storage with existing energy infrastructure at a strategic grid hub. The facility will be capable of supplying electricity to approximately 500,000 households for more than four hours, helping balance short-term fluctuations in renewable power generation and supporting greater integration of solar and wind energy into the grid. The project will enhance grid stability, improve energy security, reduce transmission congestion, and accelerate Switzerland’s transition to a low-carbon energy system. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with commercial operations targeted for 2029. The development also supports Alpiq’s broader strategy to expand its flexible energy asset portfolio, which now exceeds 1 GW of battery storage projects across Europe.
Greenfield Receives Approval for 99.9-MW Battery Storage Project in the UK
Greenfield, in partnership with Renewable Power Capital, has secured planning approval for the 99.9-MW Ironbridge Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Shropshire, England. The approval was granted by Shropshire Council, enabling the project to move forward as part of the UK’s growing energy storage infrastructure. The Ironbridge BESS is designed to provide critical grid-balancing services and will connect to the electricity network through the former Ironbridge Power Station substation. The project will include advanced battery storage units, transformers, inverters, a 132-kV substation, and associated grid infrastructure, ensuring efficient integration with the regional power system. A key benefit of the project is its ability to store excess renewable electricity and release it during periods of peak demand, improving grid stability, flexibility, and reliability. The battery system will help support the increasing deployment of wind and solar energy across the UK while reducing congestion on the electricity network and enhancing energy security. The approval further strengthens the partnership between Greenfield and RPC, whose consented battery storage portfolio now exceeds 452 MW across multiple UK projects. The development demonstrates growing investment in utility-scale energy storage as a vital component of the UK’s transition to a low-carbon, resilient, and renewable-powered electricity system.
Oman Awards 2-GW Pumped Hydro and 500-MW Solar Projects to EDF-Led Consortium
EDF Power Solutions and its partners have secured landmark agreements to develop a 2-GW pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) project and a 500-MW solar photovoltaic project in Oman, marking one of the largest renewable energy investments in the Middle East. The agreements were signed during an official state visit between Oman and France, highlighting the strategic importance of the projects for the Sultanate’s energy transition. The centerpiece is the 2,000-MW Jabal Abyad Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project, which is expected to become the largest pumped hydro storage facility in the Middle East. Located near the Wadi Dayqah Dam, the project will provide long-duration energy storage, enabling higher integration of renewable energy while improving grid stability and reliability. In parallel, the consortium will develop the 500-MW Al Kamil Solar PV Independent Power Project, representing an investment exceeding OMR 100 million (USD 260 million). The solar facility will generate clean electricity while supporting Oman’s growing demand for sustainable power. Key benefits include enhanced energy security, large-scale renewable energy integration, reduced carbon emissions, local job creation, and support for Oman’s Vision 2040 strategy. The projects will also stimulate local supply chains and strengthen the country’s position as a regional leader in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure development.
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