Statera Energy has brought online one of the UK’s largest battery energy storage systems (BESS), the 300MW/600MWh Thurrock Storage project in Essex, aimed at enhancing grid resilience and supporting the country’s transition to low-carbon energy.
The facility, located near London, can deliver its full output within seconds and has the capacity to power up to 680,000 homes for two hours, the company said.
Positioned next to Statera’s 450MW flexible generation plant, the Thurrock site replaces the former Tilbury coal-fired power station with modern energy infrastructure designed to stabilise supply during periods of variable renewable generation.
“Increasing BESS capacity is essential for supporting the grid when renewable generation, such as solar and wind, is low or changes quickly,” said Tom Vernon, chief executive of Statera. “It ensures that energy can be stored efficiently and returned to the grid whenever it’s needed.”
The site is expected to play a key role in balancing supply and demand across London and the South-East, providing rapid-response services to National Grid.
The connection was delivered by National Grid Electricity Transmission. John Twomey, director of customer and network development, 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.”
Statera said the development will also generate employment opportunities, including apprenticeships, in operations and maintenance.
The company now has over 2.1GW of projects in operation or under construction across the UK, with an additional 16GW in development. It has invested £1 billion to date and plans to commit up to £7 billion by 2030.
