The public will be better protected from potential hikes on their energy bills, as a new initiative looks to cut the UK\u2019s reliance on more expensive\u202fsources of power.<\/p>\n
The\u202fUltra-Long Duration Energy Storage (Ultra-LDES) Challenge was launched on 20\u202fAugust 2026.<\/p>\n
It will\u202foffer grants which support the development of new tech focused on energy storage, including advanced batteries and underground hydrogen storage.<\/p>\n
Backed by \u00a328 million from government through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), UK innovators can now bid for funding to develop projects\u202fcapable of supplying clean electricity for 100 hours or more.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s enough to\u202fpower our homes and businesses for\u202fat least four days.<\/p>\n
Cheaper energy<\/p>\n
Currently, wind and solar are the cheapest ways to generate electricity in the UK.<\/p>\n
A lack of wind or sunlight however means they are not always available, with the grid then relying on a range of options to deliver the power we need, including gas-fired generation.<\/p>\n
Reducing our reliance on natural gas will also bolster our energy security as a nation.<\/p>\n
While the gas system will still play an important role for decades to come, improved energy storage will be a vital part of the transition to clean, homegrown energy.<\/p>\n
This will shield us from the impacts of international supply chain issues.<\/p>\n
Laying the foundations for the move to clean energy is also a vital part of addressing the climate crisis, which already being felt across the UK and around the world.<\/p>\n
Next-gen energy storage<\/p>\n
This challenge will see some of the UK\u2019s brightest minds coming forward to develop the next generation of energy storage tech.<\/p>\n
This means we will be able to store clean energy when not needed by the grid, and release it when it is.<\/p>\n
This will reduce reliance on economically volatile energy sources like gas, helping to protect consumers from price spikes and support lower energy bills in the long-term.<\/p>\n
Batteries and hydrogen<\/p>\n
The challenge will have two main areas\u202fof focus.<\/p>\n
The first will be on the development of new battery technologies capable of providing energy for over 100 hours.<\/p>\n
These electrochemical technologies are yet to be commercialised at scale.<\/p>\n
This gives the UK an opportunity to secure an early foothold in the market which will deliver new opportunities for businesses and unlock new jobs.<\/p>\n
The second will support the development and testing of systems which store hydrogen underground and release it when needed.<\/p>\n
It holds the potential to reduce total energy system costs by between \u00a314 billion and \u00a350 billion between 2035 and 2050.<\/p>\n
Unlocking potential<\/p>\n
Science Minister Chris McDonald said:<\/p>\n
When we unlock the potential of science and innovation, it can improve all of our lives.<\/p>\n
That is what this challenge is all about; using the world class scientific\u202fexpertise\u202fthat we have in the UK to\u202fbenefit\u202fpeople\u202fin\u202fevery postcode.<\/p>\n
Clean\u202fsources of power are\u202fvital to meeting our energy needs as a nation.<\/p>\n
If\u202fwe\u202fcan meet the challenge of storing energy from renewables, we will improve our energy security,\u202fbring down\u202fenergy bills in the long-term, and\u202fleave all of us\u202fbetter off.<\/p>\n
Homegrown energy<\/p>\n
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:<\/p>\n
Homegrown clean energy is our route to more affordable bills and energy security and storing it for when we need it most is critical.<\/p>\n
By backing new cutting-edge battery technology and hydrogen storage with this \u00a328 million grant, we will store more clean power, reduce reliance on expensive gas generation and deliver a more secure energy system.<\/p>\n
Creating skilled jobs<\/p>\n
Jenny Hill, UKRI\u2019s Clean Energy Challenge Director said:<\/p>\n
\u202fEnsuring the UK has the technologies capable of storing energy efficiently and effectively is a vital part of the equation in the move to a clean and more secure energy system.<\/p>\n
This Challenge will help propel the UK to the forefront of the global energy storage market, creating skilled jobs and attracting private investment.<\/p>\n
Unlocking investment<\/p>\n
Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK, said:<\/p>\n
Ultra-long duration energy storage is critical for ensuring the UK moves to a more secure, low-carbon energy system with lower costs for consumers and businesses.<\/p>\n
Hydrogen has a fundamental role to play in that future energy mix, providing a way to store renewable energy over long periods and use it when the system needs it most.<\/p>\n
Supporting the development of hydrogen storage alongside flexible power generation will be key to unlocking these benefits across the wider energy system.<\/p>\n
The Ultra-LDES Challenge is an important step towards developing the technologies and infrastructure the UK will need at scale, and we look forward to supporting the innovative hydrogen technologies that emerge.<\/p>\n
New technologies<\/p>\n
As part of the Ultra-LDES Challenge, UKRI has also launched a competition offering up to \u00a33 million to fund studies into electrochemical ultra-long duration energy storage technologies.<\/p>\n
It could bring new battery technologies capable of delivering cost-effective electricity to the UK grid for 100 hours or more to market.<\/p>\n
This launch completes the roll out of the \u00a3102 million clean energy challenges, which includes the Ultra-LDES challenge and the \u00a374 million consumer-led flexibility challenge.<\/p>\n
They will help\u202ffund\u202fnew technologies\u202fthat help shift electricity use when\u202fit\u2019s\u202fcheapest, so the system runs more efficiently and\u202fbills come down.<\/p>\n
This is part of the existing R&D Missions Accelerator Programme.<\/p>\n
Investing at least \u00a3500 million by 2030 into the research and development to tackle the major problems our society and economy face.<\/p>\n
The launch also comes as Ofgem consults on plans to support 16 long duration electricity storage projects.<\/p>\n
Unlocking investment in the first new pumped storage hydropower projects in more than 40 years and helping build a more secure, homegrown energy system.<\/p>\n
Further information<\/p>\n
The Clean Energy Superpower Mission is delivered by UKRI in partnership with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and other government departments.<\/p>\n
Funding will be\u202fallocated\u202fthrough research councils\u2019 funding systems and Innovate UK.<\/p>\n
The ULDES challenge will accelerate the UK\u2019s commercialisation, manufacture and deployment of innovative and affordable long duration energy storage technologies with a duration over 100 hours.<\/p>\n
This includes one to two demonstrators of long duration energy storage systems over 100 MWh by 2030 and deployment on the grid at GWh scale by 2035.<\/p>\n
The consumer-led flexibility challenge was previously announced on 7 August 2025 with\u202finitial\u202ffunding of \u00a34 million as part of R&D Missions Accelerator Programme.<\/p>\n
The announcement sets out the full suite of the Clean Energy Challenges, which total an investment of \u00a3102 million from now up to 2030, including \u00a374 million for the consumer-led flexibility challenge.<\/p>\n
Further details on the \u00a33 million electrochemical technology focused Ultra Long Duration Energy Storage Project Development Studies competition, including how to apply<\/a>.<\/p>\n The funding follows a UK Energy Research Centre report, commissioned by UKRI, that sought to answer key questions on which long duration electricity storage (LDES) and low carbon dispatchable power (LCDP) technologies can be delivered by 2030 to 2035 in the UK.<\/p>\n