Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar has announced the start of commercial operations at its battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Stockport, marking the completion of the first project under the company's GBP 1 billion commitment to invest in UK battery energy storage. The global clean energy leader also announced plans to develop two additional BESS projects in Cardiff and Chesterfield.

Stockport Facility Specifications and Capacity

The Stockport facility, located on Welkin Road, operates with a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW) and 40 megawatt-hours (MWh). The facility can store enough clean electricity to power 20,000 homes for over two hours. Construction on the Stockport project began in May 2024, and the facility is the first project to be completed since Masdar's acquisition of Arlington Energy in 2022.

The Welkin Road plant is situated on a previously developed brownfield site in Stockport. During construction, local biodiversity was enhanced through the provision of bird and bat boxes to protect wildlife, the control of Japanese knotweed, and the planting of native flora. A community fund is being established to donate money to local causes.

Upcoming Cardiff and Chesterfield Projects

Masdar will develop two new BESS projects in Cardiff and Chesterfield, with a combined capacity of 150MW and 300 MWh. Together, these projects will store enough electricity to power more than 35,000 UK homes for an entire day.

The Chesterfield project, located in Calow Green, will be situated on land previously used for coal mining and will transform the area into a hub for clean energy generation and storage. The project development will respect the area's agricultural character while repurposing previously disturbed ground for environmental use, demonstrating how former industrial sites can be reimagined to support a sustainable energy future.

The Cardiff project is situated on an industrial brownfield site on Ipswich Road, repurposing under-utilized land and avoiding the need for new greenfield development while making efficient use of established utilities and access routes.

Strategic Investment and National Context

The three projects represent the first stages in Masdar's GBP 1 billion, 3GWh pipeline of BESS projects being developed in the UK, part of the company's wider commitment to the nation's energy transformation. This investment follows Masdar's acquisition of Arlington Energy in 2022.

The UK government is aiming to build up to 27GW of battery storage by the end of this decade under its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. Husain Al Meer, Masdar Director, Global Offshore Wind & UK, stated that the announcements demonstrate the company is accelerating progress towards delivering on its GBP 1 billion pipeline, noting that BESS is critical to helping the UK transform its energy systems, unlock more renewables deployment, and bring tangible benefits to consumers, businesses, and local communities.

Technology and Safety Features

BESS solutions balance and stabilize the intermittent energy supply from renewables, providing flexible energy to the grid by storing energy in periods of low demand and releasing it at peak times. This flexibility enhances grid stability and energy security, supports the integration of renewable energy, and helps lower consumer bills and carbon emissions.

Built to international safety and security standards, Masdar's BESS projects incorporate state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression systems, with 24-hour CCTV monitoring and local response capabilities. The UK BESS projects are being built in close consultation with local stakeholders to ensure they deliver positive impact on local communities and provide tangible national economic benefits.

Masdar's Global Battery Storage Leadership

Masdar is described as a global leader in battery energy storage systems. In October, the company broke ground in Abu Dhabi on the world's first gigascale 24/7 solar and battery storage project. This project will feature a 5.2GW solar plant, coupled with a 19GWh BESS, described as the largest and most technologically advanced system of its kind in the world, designed to deliver up to 1GW baseload power every day.

Beyond battery storage, Masdar's growing presence in the UK as a leading investor, developer, and operator in the offshore wind sector demonstrates its long-term commitment to supporting the country's energy transformation. Major projects in the UK market include an EUR 5.2 billion co-investment with Iberdrola in the 1.4 GW East Anglia THREE offshore wind facility, which will provide enough power for 1.3 million British homes, and the 3 GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm, being developed in partnership with RWE.

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