Global energy storage owner-operator BW ESS has announced the start of commercial operations for the first phase of its Hams Hall battery energy storage system (BESS) in the West Midlands.

Milestone Reached

The milestone, achieved, brings 350 MW / 1,243 MWh of storage capacity into commercial operation, making it the largest BESS by storage capacity in Europe. The company confirmed the news in a statement dated 2 November 2026.

The project reached commercial operation just 20 days after energisation, having been built and commissioned on budget and ahead of schedule, according to BW ESS.

Location and Grid Role

Hams Hall is located adjacent to National Grid's Hams Hall substation in the West Midlands. The project is designed to help balance variable electricity demand and intermittent renewable generation, supporting greater integration of renewable energy while strengthening grid resilience and energy security in the UK.

Partners and Delivery

From commissioning and testing through to operational readiness, BW ESS worked closely with partners including Sungrow, Energy-IO, National Grid and NESO.

The company said that achieving the milestone safely and efficiently reflects the engineering expertise, rigorous preparation and close coordination behind Hams Hall, as well as the technical capability and commitment of everyone involved.

Erik Strømsø, CEO and Co-Founder of BW ESS, described the start of commercial operations as "a landmark moment for BW ESS and a significant addition to Europe's energy infrastructure". He added: "The project was built and commissioned on budget and ahead of schedule, which is a remarkable achievement for a system of this scale and complexity and a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team, and the commitment and collaboration of our partners."

Phase Two and Full Capacity

Hams Hall's capacity will increase to 400 MW / 1,424 MWh following completion of the project's second phase. At full capacity, the project will be capable of supporting the electricity needs of around 1.3 million homes for up to 3.5 hours, which BW ESS notes is approximately equivalent to the number of households across Greater Manchester.

Revenues and Financing

Long-term revenues for the project are underpinned by a 10-year floor and optimisation agreement with EDF. Financing was recently secured from lenders OCBC, Rabobank and Societe Generale.

Portfolio Expansion

Hams Hall forms part of BW ESS' 2.6 GWh Ardenham portfolio, co-owned with energy and decarbonisation investor AIP Management. Its entry into commercial operations expands BW ESS' operating presence in the UK, alongside the 331 MWh Bramley BESS in Hampshire. The company also has 857 MWh under construction at Berkswell and a broader UK development pipeline spanning multiple gigawatt hours.

About BW ESS

BW ESS is a global energy storage owner-operator active in the UK, Australia, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden and France. It has more than 1.8 GWh of operating Battery Energy Storage Systems, with approximately 10 GWh under or pre-construction and a development pipeline of several gigawatts.

Part of BW Group, the company builds on decades of global infrastructure experience, takes a long-term view of projects and partnerships, and focuses on unlocking value throughout the energy storage asset lifecycle.

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