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Published in: Wind, Press Releases
Following the unveiling of the UK Government’s new onshore wind strategy, Aggreko is calling for greater use of bridging power solutions to help mitigate the impact of grid connection delays and speed up commissioning, to accelerate the delivery of clean energy infrastructure.
The strategy, which aims to unlock up to 10GW of new onshore wind capacity, includes a commitment from Ofgem to consider stricter obligations and incentives for network companies to reduce connection timescales that can stretch to delays as long as five years.[1]
Aggreko, a UK-based global provider of temporary power, temperature control and energy solutions, has welcomed the strategy but warns that without practical measures to speed up commissioning and address grid bottlenecks during construction, the UK risks missing key milestones in its energy transition.
“The Government’s renewed focus on onshore wind is a positive step forward that should definitely be welcomed,” said Alan Dunne, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Aggreko. “However, the reality is that many projects are still being held back by long grid connection delays before they’re even able to get into commissioning.
“Bridging power solutions can play a vital role in keeping projects on track, powering construction sites and enabling commissioning while developers wait for permanent grid access. This will be critical to the large-scale delivery of new wind farms.”
According to Alan, deploying high-voltage power packages consisting of Stage V generators, transformers, and load banks allows commissioning to take place even in the absence of a grid connection, allowing the wind farm to be brought online quicker once a connection is established.
The use of generators running on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) during the construction phase can also support equipment, site power, building and cable laying, helping to prevent project delays and reduce risk while minimising environmental impact. Combining this with a battery energy storage system (BESS) creates a hybrid system, enabling periods of zero-emissions power that generates very little noise.
Investment in innovative, low-carbon solutions such as these is a core principle of Aggreko’s sustainability framework, Energising Change™, with the objective of supporting the energy transition and facilitating access to greener technology where possible. This includes a $200 million in BESS in 2024, with the intention of bolstering its Greener Upgrades fleet.
Alan concluded: “If we are serious about accelerating the UK’s clean energy transition, we must ensure that infrastructure projects are not stalled by avoidable delays. In these circumstances, bridging power is not just a stopgap, but a key strategic tool to help unlock further energy capacity and reduce emissions, keeping the UK on track to meet its net zero goals.
“As the onshore wind industry continues to scale, the ability to deploy flexible, low-emission power solutions quickly and reliably will be critical. By working with experienced partners who understand the unique demands of renewable infrastructure, developers can overcome grid-related challenges and maintain momentum even in challenging circumstances.”
Find out more about Aggreko’s services for the wind sector.
Aggreko is a global leader in energy solutions, providing rapidly deployable, modular power and temperature control solutions for however long they’re needed.
We’re highly skilled sector specialists, bringing together our proprietary application know-how and engineering capability to deliver efficient, reliable and sustainable energy solutions.
With experience of working in the most demanding environments, we’re available for customers when they need us most, from emergency critical services to longer term energy solutions.
We’re continually investing in more sustainable products, fuels and services to make greener solutions accessible to customers, helping them wherever they are on their energy transition journey.
Founded in 1962, we are headquartered in the UK and employ over 6,800 people worldwide.
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