Eku Energy and NHOA Energy have commissioned two battery energy storage systems (BESS) in southern England with a combined storage capacity of 130 megawatt-hours (MWh), the companies said on Monday.
The Basildon and Loudwater projects, located in Essex and Buckinghamshire respectively, have completed testing and verification and are now ready for commercial operation, according to a statement from Eku Energy.
The 28-megawatt (MW)/56MWh Basildon facility is Eku’s first two-hour duration battery system in the UK. It is situated near key infrastructure, including gas peaking plants and a solar PV site, and is designed to support grid stability.
The 39MW/55MWh Loudwater BESS, located on a 0.6-acre site near High Wycombe, was developed with a low visual profile to reflect its rural surroundings. Both facilities will deliver balancing and ancillary services to support local and national grid operations.
“The commissioning of Loudwater BESS and Basildon BESS creates diversity of our operating portfolio in the United Kingdom,” said Eku Energy CEO Daniel Burrows. “Battery storage is an integral part of building more flexible and resilient energy systems that are transitioning towards a higher penetration of renewable generation.”
Burrows added that the company’s growing portfolio opens new opportunities to structure “innovative long-term contracts” for customers.
NHOA Energy, which supplied the battery equipment, will also provide long-term operations and maintenance services for both projects.
“These projects exemplify how trusted, high-performance partnerships are essential for the energy transition,” said Lucie Kanius-Dujardin, global managing director at NHOA Energy. “We are proud to continue our journey alongside Eku Energy.”
The Basildon site is located near critical 400kV substations and future transmission upgrades, with Habitat Energy handling trading operations. The Loudwater facility will be optimised by Statkraft Energy on behalf of Eku.
Both projects were delivered in partnership with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm ESM Power.
