Varco Energy, a UK-based owner and operator of battery energy storage systems (BESS), has appointed GE Vernova to supply assets for a BESS project in Cornwall.
The company acquired the Sambar Power project, located near Newquay, Cornwall, in April this year. Varco hopes to have the asset online in the second quarter of 2025; once completed, it will have a capacity of 47.5 MW, which could power the equivalent of 30,000 homes, according to Varco.
GE Vernova’s Solar & Storage Solutions division has been contracted to provide the full BESS for the project, as well as long-term service and maintenance. GE Vernova will supply its FLEXIQ Controls, FLEXINVERTER central inverters and Battery DC-Blocks products for the development.
James Mills, director of Varco Energy said: “BESS is a crucial infrastructure to balance the intermittent nature of renewable energy generation and break Britain’s dependence on fossil fuels. We are therefore pleased to be working with GE Vernova on the 47.5 MW, 2-hour Sambar Power project.
“At Varco we want to invest in assets that will accelerate the integration of renewables, maintain a resilient network and increase consumer value in Britain. This is Varco’s second project contracted with GE Vernova and third in total as the company continues to expand its portfolio of utility-scale BESS in the UK.”
Prakash Chandra, president and CEO of GE Vernova’s Solar & Storage Solutions business, added: “GE Vernova is pleased to have been chosen by Varco to deliver a national grid-connected BESS for their Sambar Power project in Cornwall. Our FLEX 2 portfolio deployed here is designed to provide flexible, reliable and intelligent solutions that help solve complex sustainable integration and networking challenges, while maximizing value for customers.
“We hope to advance our shared mission of providing available and reliable clean energy that will benefit thousands of people while contributing to the transition to a clean energy future in the UK.”
Cornwall is an excellent place for renewable technology
In recent months, the county of Cornwall has become a hotbed for renewable technology adoption. Research from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has found that Cornwall ranked first in small-scale renewable energy installations in 2023, with 4,890 solar panel and heat pump installations during the year.
This trend has continued into 2024, with 1,800 renewable energy installations in the province by June 2024. Solar PV is the most popular renewable energy technology in Cornwall, with 65% of MCS certified renewable energy installations taking place so far this year. are solar PV systems.
