Eku Energy and NHOA Energy have jointly commissioned two utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the UK, marking a significant step in the country’s energy transition. The projects, located in Basildon, Essex, and Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, collectively add 130 megawatt hours (MWh) of capacity to the national grid. This development is poised to enhance grid stability and support the UK’s growing renewable energy sector.
The Basildon project features a 28MW BESS with a 56MWh capacity, strategically positioned near other power generation facilities, including solar and gas-fired stations. This location allows the system to play a crucial role in balancing the grid and providing ancillary services. Habitat Energy will manage energy trading for this site on behalf of Eku Energy. Meanwhile, the Loudwater project boasts a 39MW BESS spanning 0.6 acres of rural land, with a capacity of 55MWh. Statkraft Energy will handle trading for this facility, which is designed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings.
Daniel Burrows, CEO of Eku Energy, emphasized the significance of these projects in diversifying their operating portfolio. “The commissioning of Loudwater BESS and Basildon BESS creates diversity in our operating portfolio in the UK,” Burrows stated. “Our growing operating portfolio creates further opportunities to support our customers by structuring innovative long-term contracts.” He added that these projects align with Eku Energy’s mission to accelerate the energy transition by delivering safe, secure, and reliable battery storage assets that provide cost-effective clean energy.
Both projects utilize BESS equipment from NHOA Energy, with ESM Power providing additional infrastructure and systems. NHOA Energy will maintain operations at both locations under long-term service agreements to ensure sustained performance. Lucie Kanius-Dujardin, global managing director of NHOA Energy, highlighted the importance of trusted partnerships in the energy transition. “These projects exemplify how trusted, high-performance partnerships are essential for the energy transition,” she said. “The delivery of both sites in parallel required close coordination between NHOA Energy and Eku Energy.”
Beyond these projects, Eku Energy has secured financing from NatWest Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking for a new 99MW/198MWh BESS at Ocker Hill in the West Midlands. Expected to be operational by late 2026, this venture underscores Eku Energy’s commitment to expanding its energy storage portfolio in the UK.
The commissioning of these projects is expected to bolster energy security and reliability for electricity consumers throughout the UK. As the country continues to integrate more renewable energy sources into its grid, utility-scale energy storage systems like these will play a pivotal role in ensuring a stable and resilient energy network. The success of these projects could also pave the way for similar initiatives, accelerating the deployment of energy storage solutions across the UK and beyond.