Eku Energy has completed the commissioning of a 40MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Maldon, Essex. This marks the company's first UK project to achieve commercial operation, offering crucial energy storage capacity to both the local and national grid.
The Maldon BESS is set to alleviate network congestion, enhance grid resilience, and contribute to the UK's net zero goals by facilitating the integration of more renewable energy into the system. The battery has secured a long-term contract under the UK's Capacity Market and will be traded by EDF.
Built on a two-acre site by Trina Storage and connected by independent provider ESM Power, the project underscores Eku Energy's growing presence in the UK. The company, founded in 2022, operates in the UK, Australia, Italy, and Japan, and is jointly owned by Macquarie Asset Management and BCI Capital, one of Canada's largest pension funds.
Eku Energy CEO Daniel Burrows emphasized the importance of battery storage for supporting renewable energy on the grid. “Battery energy storage provides important firming capability to increase the grid's renewable energy hosting capacity,” he said. “We are proud to be helping the United Kingdom deliver safe, secure and reliable green energy as we accelerate the energy transition.”
UK Power Networks connected the battery to the local electricity grid. Project manager Zhen Wang highlighted the role of utility batteries in the country's net zero strategy, stating: “Utility batteries are a cornerstone of this strategy, and we were pleased to take part in progressing Eku Energy's Maldon BESS project.”
The project is expected to play a key role in bolstering the UK's renewable energy infrastructure as the country works towards its decarbonization targets.
