Abu dhabi: Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC - Masdar has announced the start of commercial operations at its battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Stockport, marking the first project completed under Masdar's £1 billion investment commitment in UK battery energy storage. The company is also set to develop two additional BESS projects in Cardiff and Chesterfield.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Stockport facility, located on Welkin Road, has a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW)/40 megawatt-hours (MWh), enabling it to store enough clean electricity to power 20,000 homes for over two hours. The forthcoming Chesterfield and Cardiff projects will have a combined capacity of 150MW and 300MWh, collectively storing enough electricity to power more than 35,000 UK homes for an entire day.
Following the acquisition of Arlington Energy in 2022, Masdar committed to a £1 billion investment in a 3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) pipeline of BESS projects in the UK. This move aligns with the UK's Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which aims to build up to 27GW of battery storage by the end of the decade.
Masdar Director, Global Offshore Wind and UK, Husain Al Meer, emphasized the significance of BESS in transforming UK energy systems, facilitating renewable deployment, and benefiting consumers and communities. He stated that Masdar is proud to lead in this sector both in the UK and globally.
BESS solutions are crucial for balancing renewable energy supply by storing energy during low demand and releasing it during peak times. This flexibility supports grid stability, energy security, renewable integration, and contributes to reducing consumer bills and carbon emissions.
Masdar's projects adhere to international safety standards, featuring advanced fire detection and suppression systems, alongside 24-hour CCTV monitoring. The projects are developed in consultation with local stakeholders to ensure positive community impact and national economic benefits.
The Welkin Road facility in Stockport occupies a brownfield site, with efforts made to enhance local biodiversity during construction. Initiatives include bird and bat boxes, control of invasive species, and planting native flora. A community fund will also be established to support local causes.
The Chesterfield project in Calow Green will be developed on former coal mining land, transforming it into a clean energy hub while respecting the area's agricultural heritage. The Cardiff project repurposes an industrial brownfield site on Ipswich Road, utilizing existing infrastructure to avoid new greenfield development.
In October, Masdar commenced a groundbreaking solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, featuring a 5.2GW solar plant and a 19GWh BESS, the largest and most advanced system globally, to provide up to 1GW baseload power daily.
Masdar's significant UK projects include a £5.2 billion co-investment with Iberdrola in the East Anglia THREE offshore wind facility and the 3GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm, developed with RWE.