Rivington Energy (renewable energy company) has completed the sale of a 50-megawatt battery energy storage system development in Yarnton, Oxfordshire, to funds managed by Schroders Greencoat, the specialist renewables and energy transition infrastructure manager.

The transaction, announced, sees the pre-construction project transfer to Wessex Gardens, Schroders Greencoat's dedicated renewable infrastructure fund designed for Local Government Pension Scheme members.

Project Specifications and Timeline

The Yarnton Battery Energy Storage System will deliver an export capacity of 49.9MW and an import capacity of 40.0MW. Situated on a 1.5-hectare site, the project benefits from a near-term grid connection date and is expected to operate for up to 40 years once commissioned. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2027.

The project was developed by Renewable Connections, the development arm of Rivington Energy. Planning consent was formally granted on 16 June 2025 by Cherwell District Council, following what Rivington Energy described as extensive consultation with local communities and statutory stakeholders.

A Place-Based Fund Backing Local Energy Infrastructure

Schroders Greencoat's acquisition was made specifically through Wessex Gardens, a fund structured to provide Local Government Pension Scheme members with access to locally focused renewable infrastructure investment. The Yarnton project represents a pre-construction addition to the Wessex Gardens portfolio.

Matt Tingle, Investment Director at Schroders Greencoat, said the deal reflected the firm's continuing focus on energy transition-aligned infrastructure. "Battery storage plays a key role in enabling the energy transition, which in turn brings more investment opportunities," Tingle said.

"Today's acquisition reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in energy transition-aligned infrastructure that not only supports the energy system but can also deliver strong returns for our investors over the long term."

Rivington Energy's Development Track Record

Michael Hughes, CEO of Rivington Energy, described the transaction as a significant milestone for the company. "We deliver highly innovative developments while maintaining a responsible, community-led approach to planning and design," Hughes said.

"This underpins our strong track record of securing project consents and enables us to bring forward high-quality schemes that attract leading investors and partners. We are delighted to complete this transaction, which marks another exciting milestone for Rivington Energy."

The Yarnton scheme was developed through Renewable Connections, Rivington Energy's dedicated development arm. The company said the project had been carefully designed throughout a consultation process involving local communities, statutory stakeholders, and the local planning authority.

Legal Advisors to the Transaction

The sale was supported by legal counsel on both sides. Burges Salmon acted as legal advisors to Rivington Energy, while Acuity Law provided legal support to Schroders Greencoat.

Battery Storage's Role in the UK Energy System

The transaction comes amid growing recognition of the strategic importance of battery energy storage to the UK's electricity network. Battery storage systems function by balancing supply and demand across the grid, helping to stabilise electricity flows and enabling greater integration of renewable power generation sources, which by their nature produce electricity intermittently.

The UK Government has estimated that widespread deployment of battery storage could save up to USD 52 billion in system operating costs by 2050. Those savings are expected to contribute to lower energy bills for consumers while supporting the country's broader net-zero ambitions.

The Yarnton project joins a pipeline of battery storage developments that are being brought forward across the UK as the country works to decarbonise its electricity system.

Schroders Greencoat's decision to acquire the asset at the pre-construction stage, through a fund specifically structured for pension scheme investors, reflects the increasing appetite among institutional capital for exposure to energy transition infrastructure at an earlier point in a project's development lifecycle.

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