Massive battery storage facility launched in the UK to boost energy security

Image Credit: Stratera Energy

The UK has just switched on its most extensive battery energy storage system, now delivering electricity across London and the South East. Known as Thurrock Storage and developed by Statera Energy, the project brings 300MW of storage capacity, equal to 600MWh. In practical terms, that is enough to power around 680,000 homes for more than two hours.

The site has been connected to National Grid’s transmission network through the Tilbury substation in Essex. To prepare for the additional demand, the substation has been upgraded with new protection and control systems, ensuring it can safely handle the heavy battery load.

Statera Energy CEO and founder, Tom Vernon, said: “We are delighted that Thurrock Storage is now energised, following its successful connection to the grid by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET).

“Increasing BESS capacity is essential for supporting the grid when renewable generation, such as solar and wind, is low or changes quickly. It ensures that energy can be stored efficiently and returned to the grid whenever it’s needed.”

John Twomey, director of customer and network development at NGET, said: “Battery storage plays a vital role in Britain’s clean energy transition. Connecting Thurrock Storage, the UK’s biggest battery, to our transmission network marks a significant step on that journey.

“Our Tilbury substation once served a coal plant, and with battery connections like this, it’s today helping to power a more sustainable future for the region and the country.”

Sitting alongside Thurrock Storage is another vital project, Thurrock Flexible Generation. This is a 450MW plant that provides backup electricity whenever renewable energy output falls short for an extended period. Remarkably, the battery system can reach full capacity in under ten minutes and continue supplying power to the grid for as long as needed.

Funding for these projects has been substantial. In 2024, Statera Energy raised £251 million to support construction, following a £144 million investment secured in late 2023. Currently, Statera has delivered or is building more than 2.1 GW of projects across the UK. The pipeline is even larger, with over 16GW in development or already approved. To date, the company has secured billions in committed investment and expects this figure to climb to as much as £7 billion by 2030.

This week also saw another milestone in Britain’s energy storage sector. Field, a fast-growing developer, launched its largest battery site yet in Scotland. The 50MW facility, located near Auchteraw, carries a storage capacity of 100MWh. Positioned just north of the heavily constrained B4 transmission boundary across the Scottish Central Belt, it could supply power to as many as 150,000 homes for two hours.

Field now operates four sites across Great Britain, with a development pipeline that stretches to 4.5GWh of projects.