Fidra Energy, a European battery energy storage system (BESS) platform owned by institutional investor EIG, has received planning consent to build and operate a 1.4GW battery storage project at Thorpe Marsh, Yorkshire.

The project will be the UK’s largest battery storage project and will power up to 800,000 homes during peak electricity demand hours.

Approved by Doncaster Council on 28 January 2025, the project will feature lithium-ion battery systems supplied by Sungrow.

The final investment decision (FID) is set for April 2025, paving the way for the first battery systems to be up and running by early 2027.

Fidra Energy CEO Chris Elder stated: “Thorpe Marsh is one of the most exciting infrastructure projects in the world and we are delighted to have achieved this important milestone in its development phase.

“As the largest battery energy storage site in the UK, the project will help turbocharge the UK’s ambitions of achieving a clean power system providing critical flexibility to store energy when there is excess renewable generation and release this when needed.”

The project is expected to bolster the local economy by creating jobs during its construction and operation phases.

The development will occur on 55 acres of land previously occupied by a coal station, located next to a National Grid substation.

EIG managing director and co-head of energy transition Walid Mouawad stated: “We are thrilled to see the 1.4GW Thorpe Marsh project reach another critical development milestone. This represents a significant step in EIG’s commitment to advancing large-scale energy assets in the UK and driving the country’s shift to a more sustainable, low-carbon future.”

Fidra Energy and Sungrow formed a strategic partnership in November 2024 to implement 4.4 gigawatt hours of battery energy storage projects across the UK and Europe by 2030.

Sungrow will supply its PowerTitan 2.0 energy storage system to two Fidra sites in the UK, offering long-term maintenance services.