What caused the boom in UK renewable energy project approvals in 2025?

The boom was primarily driven by a surge in applications for new battery storage and offshore wind projects.

Are all approved renewable projects in Great Britain operational?

No, many approved projects face delays due to grid bottlenecks and connection issues.

What is the UK government doing about renewable energy project delays?

The government is reforming grid connection queues and clearing backlogs to speed up project delivery.

Home / Business and Economy / Battery Storage Drives UK Energy Project Surge

Battery Storage Drives UK Energy Project Surge

1 Jan

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Summary

New renewable project approvals in Great Britain nearly doubled year-on-year.
Battery storage applications nearly doubled to 28.6GW, offshore wind jumped sevenfold.
Grid bottlenecks and connection delays remain major risks to project delivery.

Battery Storage Drives UK Energy Project Surge

In 2025, Great Britain experienced a record-breaking year for renewable energy project approvals, with planning consents almost doubling compared to the previous year. The total energy capacity of new battery, wind, and solar projects receiving approval reached 45GW, a substantial 96% increase from 2024. This surge was primarily fueled by a significant rise in applications for new battery storage facilities, which nearly doubled to 28.6GW, and a remarkable sevenfold increase in offshore wind developments, climbing to 9.9GW.

While the volume of approved projects signals strong momentum in the UK's energy transition, experts caution that approvals alone do not generate electricity. A considerable amount of renewable capacity is reportedly stuck in queues or awaiting crucial grid upgrades. These grid bottlenecks are identified as one of the most significant risks to realizing the potential of these newly approved projects and ensuring they contribute to the nation's power supply.