Electricity pylons run through fields near Amersham, Britain, September 29, 2023.
The battery units are being built by Fidra Energy on the site of a former coal power station, located next to a major National Grid substation. According to the companies, once the development is completed, the site will have the capacity to provide power to up to 785,000 homes during peak demand periods.
EDF highlighted that the partnership represents an important step in expanding the use of large-scale battery storage to support grid stability and enhance energy security. The company stated that battery systems play a vital role in ensuring reliable electricity supply by storing surplus energy during periods of low demand and delivering it back to the grid when demand increases.
For Fidra Energy, the project reflects its strategy of transforming former fossil-fuel-based sites into assets that contribute to the energy transition. By building the storage facility on a location previously used for coal power generation, the company is utilizing existing infrastructure and grid connections, enabling efficient project implementation.
Battery storage is increasingly seen as a critical component in the energy system, particularly as more renewable generation comes online. Projects of this scale are expected to provide flexibility to the electricity grid, reduce reliance on fossil fuels for balancing supply, and ensure that renewable energy can be fully utilized.
The Yorkshire site is one of the largest planned battery storage facilities in the United Kingdom. Both companies emphasized that its completion will support the broader transition to cleaner energy and meet growing consumer electricity needs.
The partnership between EDF and Fidra Energy demonstrates how energy suppliers and developers are working together to deploy large-scale storage solutions that strengthen resilience and sustainability in the power sector. Market observers will be monitoring progress as the project advances toward its 2027 completion target.
