Fidra Energy, a European battery energy storage system (BESS) platform owned by EIG, has received planning consent to develop a 1.4GW battery storage project at Thorpe Marsh, Yorkshire. This will become the UK’s largest battery storage facility, capable of powering up to 800,000 homes during peak demand.
The project was approved by Doncaster Council on 28 January 2025 and will feature lithium-ion battery systems supplied by Sungrow. A final investment decision (FID) is expected in April 2025, with the first battery systems slated to be operational by early 2027.
Chris Elder, CEO of Fidra Energy, highlighted the significance of the project, stating that it will provide critical flexibility for the UK’s clean power system by storing energy during times of excess renewable generation and releasing it when needed.
The development will take place on 55 acres of land previously home to a coal station, adjacent to a National Grid substation. The project is expected to boost the local economy through job creation during both the construction and operational phases.
Walid Mouawad, Managing Director and co-head of the energy transition at EIG, emphasized that this milestone represents a key step in advancing large-scale energy assets in the UK and driving the country’s transition to a low-carbon future.
Fidra Energy and Sungrow established a strategic partnership in November 2024, aiming to implement 4.4 gigawatt hours of BESS projects across the UK and Europe by 2030.