At Solar & Storage Live London, Xtra caught up with Kelvin Ruck, MD, and Jeremy Powell, BESS Director, at Mitie.
The pair discussed their expectations for opportunities in the next 12 months, the insights gained at the event, and the importance of attending international solar shows.
Interview with Kelvin Ruck and Jeremy Powell, MD and BESS Director for Mitie
“The one thing that we’ve certainly picked up on is the concern particularly in the storage sector because of the fluctuating and dropping prices and revenue opportunities.”
Xtra: What major opportunities are you anticipating in the next 12 months?
Kelvin: For ourselves, we have historically been linked to large-scale and utility-scale storage projects: anything up to 200MW hours. With us now being part of the Mitie Group, they’ve got an extensive FM client base. We are seeing the opportunity to install behind-the-meter, smaller-scale CNI-type installations for their large FM clients.
Xtra: Who are you most looking forward to speaking to at Solar & Storage Live London?
Jeremy: These events are always good. It’s a great opportunity to meet with suppliers, it’s a great opportunity to meet with investors, and our existing customer base as well.
Xtra: Why is it important to be at Solar & Storage Live London and why are events like this so important?
Kelvin: I think it’s demonstrating our presence still in the marketplace. This show has been very good for us because we are exhibiting with two sister companies, being: Custom Solar and Rock Power – both involved in the renewable energy sector.
It’s a great opportunity for us to demonstrate our collaboration and working together.
Jeremy: Indeed, and it shows a united front to the market as well and emphasises our strength and capabilities.
Xtra: What insights are you hoping to gain at Solar & Storage Live London?
Jeremy: Having the conferencing facilities here as well is always great because you’re starting to hear new topics, and it’s always good to get up to speed on relevant information. Also, to understand what the future is going to bring as well.
Kelvin: The one thing that we’ve certainly picked up on is the concern particularly in the storage sector because of the fluctuating and dropping prices and revenue opportunities. There is a level of concern, I believe.
But, the projects are getting larger. We are seeing 275- 400kV connected projects. We’re tendering one at the moment, which has 1gWh hours of battery – so the projects are getting larger. That’s a greater CapEx which, again, a balance sheet like Mitie’s helps us secure those projects.
But there is a genuine concern, in the industry on what the revenues will be for such large-value projects.
