Battery storage is opening new doors for rural businesses
By Jack Gawthrop
Battery storage is fast becoming one of the most important tools in the UK’s shift towards cleaner and more reliable energy. For commercial businesses, landowners, farmers and industrial operators, it offers something increasingly valuable in an unpredictable energy market. Control.
Across the country, organisations are looking for ways to cut costs, reduce their reliance on the grid and make better use of the renewable power they generate on site. Battery storage is proving to be one of the most effective ways to do it.
At East Green Energy, the focus is on designing systems that match the needs of each site. The principle is simple. Store surplus solar energy during the day and use it later when demand rises and the sun sets. The result is greater self‑consumption and a noticeable step towards energy independence.
Making solar work harder
Solar power rarely peaks at the same time businesses need it most. Battery storage smooths out that mismatch. Excess energy is held back and released when required, reducing the need to draw from the grid. For farms, estates and commercial sites with fluctuating demand, this shift can make a significant difference to running costs and long‑term planning.
A smarter way to manage energy prices
Electricity prices move constantly throughout the day. Batteries allow businesses to charge during cheaper periods and discharge when rates climb. This approach gives businesses more control over their energy bills and helps protect them from sudden spikes in wholesale prices.
A growing need for resilience
UK businesses are under increasing pressure to innovate, cut emissions and demonstrate progress towards net zero. Battery storage is becoming a central part of that journey. It strengthens and supports sustainability goals and gives organisations the confidence to operate with greater certainty.
Developers are also responding to this shift. Battery storage is now being built into commercial, agricultural and mixed‑use projects to meet planning expectations and add long‑term value.
A market finding its feet
Lithium battery costs have fallen sharply over the past decade, following a trajectory similar to that seen in solar. Improvements in cell chemistry, large-scale manufacturing, automation and global supply chains have significantly reduced the cost per kilowatt-hour. At the same time, energy density has increased, lifespans have extended and degradation rates have improved.
These advances mean modern lithium battery systems deliver more usable energy, operate for longer and require less maintenance than earlier generations. As a result, battery storage has become substantially more cost-effective and commercially viable across a wider range of projects than ever before
What this means for landowners and businesses
Standalone battery projects continue to offer attractive returns. New investors with trading expertise are entering the market and improved technology is helping to create more predictable outcomes. For businesses and landowners, this is a promising moment to explore battery storage, whether as part of their own energy system or as a land‑lease opportunity.
Looking ahead
The battery storage sector is adjusting to new market realities, but its importance to the UK’s energy future is clear. As the country works towards greater energy security and a cleaner grid, batteries will play a central role.
For businesses aiming to reduce costs and make progress towards net zero, battery storage is no longer a future ambition, it is a practical solution available today.
