Renewable Programme

The Renewable Programme of the Energy Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network is the schedule of projects by which the Department will raise the share of the Network's electricity that comes from renewable sources. During the transition period from 10 August to 5 September 2026, wind, solar and hydro supplied 37.7 per cent of the electricity delivered to the Network. The programme sets a target of 60 per cent by 31 December 2030.

The programme was published on 6 September 2026. It comprises six projects: two solar projects, the second phase of Fenmoor Wind Array, a battery at Central Exchange, the uprating of Coldwater Hydro Station and a study into converting Southbank Combined Heat and Power Station to biomethane. Together the generating projects add 84 megawatts of renewable capacity to the 168 megawatts serving the Network today.

The target. The figures below record the baseline, the target and the capacity the programme adds.

37.7%

Renewable share of electricity supplied during the transition period, the programme baseline

60%

Target renewable share of electricity supplied by 31 December 2030

84 MW

New renewable generating capacity to be added by the programme

120 MWh

Battery storage planned at Central Exchange, commissioning in 2028

Projects. The schedule below records each project, its type and capacity, its site and its present status. The schedule is maintained by the Renewable Programme Office and updated as each project passes its milestones.

The battery at Central Exchange does not generate electricity but allows wind output produced overnight to be stored and released at the evening peak, when the Network would otherwise rely on Ridgeway Gas Turbine Station. It is counted in the programme because it raises the share of renewable output the Network can use.

Milestones. The programme runs from the transition period to the target date. The milestones below will be extended as the programme proceeds.

1. 10 August to 5 September 2026

   Baseline measured

   During the transition period the renewable stations were brought under the incoming Department's oversight and the baseline renewable share of 37.7 per cent was measured from metered output.

2. 6 September 2026

   Programme established and schedule published

   The Department is established with the Renewable Programme among its responsibilities, and publishes the schedule of six projects and the target of a 60 per cent renewable share by 31 December 2030.

3. October 2026

   Rooftop surveys and first call for proposals

   Structural and electrical surveys of roofs at the six principal sites begin. The first call for site proposals from member organisations opens and remains open for eight weeks.

4. 1 December 2026

   Eastfield Solar Array extension enters commissioning

   The 12 megawatt extension is connected at Eastfield Primary Substation during the planned outage of 4 October and enters commissioning on 1 December 2026, raising solar capacity to 60 megawatts.

5. Spring 2027

   Fenmoor second phase construction begins

   Construction of twelve further turbines at Fenmoor begins, together with the extension of Fenmoor Collector Substation. Rooftop installation proceeds at the principal sites through the year.

6. 2027

   Studies report

   The feasibility study into converting Southbank Combined Heat and Power Station to biomethane reports, and the design of the Coldwater Hydro Station uprating is completed.

7. 2028

   Fenmoor second phase and Central Exchange battery commissioned

   The second phase of Fenmoor Wind Array and the 30 megawatt, 120 megawatt hour battery at Central Exchange are commissioned, allowing wind output to be stored against the evening peak.

8. 2029

   Coldwater uprating works

   The two turbines at Coldwater Hydro Station are replaced, adding 6 megawatts of capacity and improving output in low-flow months.

9. 31 December 2030

   Target date

   Sixty per cent of the electricity supplied to the Network is to come from renewable sources. Progress is reported against this target in each quarterly Generation and Supply Statement.

10. Forthcoming

    Procurement arrangements

    The procurement arrangements for the second phase of Fenmoor Wind Array and the Central Exchange battery will be announced in the Newsroom.

Proposing a site. Member organisations may propose sites for rooftop solar or other renewable installations. The first call for proposals opens in October 2026. The steps below apply to every proposal.

1. 1

   Step 1: Identify a site

   A member organisation may propose any roof, land or plant room at a site of the Network for a renewable installation. Roofs of more than 1,500 square metres and land of more than two hectares are given priority.

2. 2

   Step 2: Write to the Department

   Send the name of the organisation, the site and building, the area available, its orientation and any structural information held, together with the name of a contact, to the Department's email address during the call for proposals.

3. 3

   Step 3: Survey

   The Renewable Programme Office arranges a structural and electrical survey of the site, normally within six weeks of the close of the call, and confirms the capacity the site can support.

4. 4

   Step 4: Programme decision

   Sites that pass survey are added to the programme schedule in order of the capacity they offer, and the member organisation is informed of the expected installation date.

5. 5

   Step 5: Connection and certification

   The installation is connected under an application on the register of connections and certified under the installation safety regime before it is energised.

Progress against the target is reported in each quarterly Generation and Supply Statement, summarised on the Generation and Supply and Statistics pages. Connections for the programme's projects are recorded on the Connections page, and every installation is certified under the installation safety regime. Proposals and enquiries may be sent to contact@energy.gov.vin.