Arenko has expanded its commercial collaboration with RWE, rolling out its enterprise-grade software across three additional co-located solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in the UK, totalling 150MW.
The latest agreement doubles the number of Arenko-supported RWE sites to six, strengthening Arenko’s position as a software partner for optimising complex, grid-scale renewable and storage assets.
RWE is a key player in the UK’s growing solar-plus-storage market and has taken a pioneering role in addressing the technical challenges of configuring DC-coupled sites to operate as a single, dispatchable, market-ready unit. Arenko’s technology will provide the DC-coupled architecture required to enable seamless, zero-latency communication between solar generation, battery storage and the grid.
Two of the newly contracted projects will feature four-hour battery duration, placing them among the longer-duration BESS installations in the UK and helping to future-proof the systems as part of a fully decarbonised power grid.
The expansion builds on a framework agreement established in 2024, with RWE extending the relationship following successful technical collaboration and onboarding of Arenko’s platform across the initial three sites.
Under the agreement, RWE will integrate Arenko’s Nimbus software platform across the new assets. Acting as a digital backbone that complements RWE’s in-house capabilities, Nimbus will deliver end-to-end monitoring, control, optimisation and automated trading. The platform is designed to enable flexible, secure and transparent operation of complex co-located assets while maximising commercial performance.
Sarah Standen, Head of Commercial Asset Optimisation UK, RWE, said: “We have been impressed by the level of technical collaboration and flexibility Arenko has demonstrated across our initial projects. As we continue to expand our UK renewable and storage portfolio, it is important to work with partners who can manage complexity and integrate securely with our internal systems. This expanded agreement reflects our confidence in Arenko’s technology and its team.”
Rupert Newland, CEO, Arenko, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with RWE on these projects, which bring a new level of complexity by combining solar and storage within a DC-coupled design. Our focus has been on bridging the gap between shared infrastructure and market requirements by converting DC output into the AC representation needed to operate as two separate, market-compliant technologies.
“Ultimately, our goal is to enable hybrid systems that can perform on a par with standalone batteries as co-located sites grow in importance in the UK energy landscape.”
The UK’s recent AR7a auction, which awarded Contracts for Difference (CfDs) to 4.9GW of solar capacity, underscores the growing role of hybrid renewable projects, with much of the awarded capacity expected to be co-located with battery storage. The trend reflects increasing demand for flexible, clean power solutions that support renewable integration and grid resilience.
By supporting a portfolio that includes some of the UK’s longer-duration solar-plus-storage projects, Arenko is further strengthening its credentials as a specialist partner for utilities, independent power producers and funds seeking to operate complex renewable assets at scale. The expanded partnership with RWE also positions the company for further collaboration on both co-located and standalone renewable projects in the UK.
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