Ofgem has confirmed that 77 projects have passed the eligibility stage of the UK government’s Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) cap and floor support scheme, designed to catalyse investment in large-scale energy storage capable of delivering electricity for at least eight hours.
These projects, selected from 171 applications, collectively represent a discharge capacity of 28.7 GW across diverse technologies including lithium-ion batteries, vanadium flow batteries, compressed air energy storage, liquid air energy storage, and five pumped storage hydro projects totalling 4.6 GW.
As the UK accelerates renewable energy integration, these projects will provide critical grid flexibility and security.
Ofgem Director of Major Projects Infrastructure, Beatrice Filkin, highlighted the importance of domestic storage to reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets and ensure a consistent clean energy supply.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the scheme marks the first major investment in long-duration storage infrastructure in over 40 years, aiming to help Britain reclaim control of its energy system and shield consumers from high costs.
The approved projects are divided between ‘track 1’, which targets delivery by 2030, and ‘track 2’ aiming for completion by 2033.
Lithium-ion battery systems remain dominant among approved submissions, addressing concerns about the technology’s inclusion following industry consultations.
The next phase will involve detailed project assessments, with final funding decisions expected by summer 2026, supporting the UK’s net-zero electricity ambitions and enhancing energy security through scalable long-duration storage.
