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FREE REPORT | The Co-location of energy assets Co-location, Co-location, Co-location

As the UK transitions to net zero, the energy generation mix will become increasingly dominated by  intermittent renewable generators, thus promoting a need for greater flexibility within the energy system. Setting up a new site, especially for storage assets, is currently a long and often costly process. But by co-locating a new asset with a pre-existing one, the set-up process can be made both cheaper and faster.

How can co-location work?

Co-location can take a range of forms, with this report focusing on multiple renewable generation or storage assets sharing a grid connection. Co-location of generation with demand is also discussed in the context of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and low-carbon hydrogen production.

Key benefits of co-location:

  • costs savings
  • faster grid connection
  • revenue stacking
  • planning permission
  • optimisation
  • insurance. 

Looking forward, there is a large pipeline of co-located assets set to come online across the next decade, with an increasing trend of large-scale energy parks, which combine several of the co-location types discussed in this report behind one grid connection, and district energy networks, where large-scale property developments are designed in tandem with the provision of low-carbon energy and heat.

As more co-located sites are established, there will be more of a blueprint available for best practice solutions, helping to overcome the challenges of price certainty and optimisation. Corporate and hybrid power purchase agreements could both provide valuable routes to market for co-location in the future.

Weightmans is delighted to have collaborated with Cornwall Insight on the production of this report. To access a copy of the report please complete the form below. 

Download the FREE report

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To find out more about our expertise please visit our energy and utilities pages, or if you have any enquiries or concerns about an energy project, please get in touch, we are happy to help. 

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Key take-aways from our Co-location report launch event

Read more on the key take-aways from our Co-location report launch event. Held at our London office on 7 December, the event centred around seizing the key opportunities and overcoming potential challenges for co-location.

Read more