Benthead Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System

Planned

The Benthead Solar Farm is a new-build 84.5MW photovoltaic solar project co-located with a 31MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in north Ayrshire, Scotland. The project is expected to generate over 78.4GWh of electricity per year, enough to power more than 25,000 homes, and prevent around 17,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The site shares a 63MW grid connection between the solar farm and the AC-coupled battery asset, enabling strategic control of exports to maximize grid value. EDF has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Aukera to offtake 100% of the renewable energy generated from the project. Commissioning is targeted for 2026, with the PPA term expected to last nine to eleven years depending on the battery commissioning date. EDF will optimize the battery via its PowerShift platform using AI-driven real-time trading to maximize grid value and revenue. The project was awarded a 15-year Contract for Difference (CfD) as part of the UK Government's Allocation Round 6 to drive investment in renewable electricity generation.