Two utility-scale energy storage projects at Basildon in Essex and Loudwater in Buckinghamshire, built by global energy storage specialist Eku Energy and global supplier of utility-scale energy storage systems NHOA Energy, have successfully completed testing and verification and are now fully commissioned. They add a total of 130MWh of installed capacity for critical grid support, providing balancing and ancillary services to strengthen the UK’s energy system.
Each project will deliver ancillary and balancing services that will support both the local and the national grid, boosting energy security and reliability for electricity consumers in the United Kingdom.
Commenting on the news, Eku Energy CEO Daniel Burrows, said: 'The commissioning of Loudwater BESS and Basildon BESS creates diversity of our operating portfolio in the United Kingdom. Our growing operating portfolio creates further opportunities to support our customers by structuring innovative long-term contracts. With the commissioning of these two projects, Eku Energy is continuing to drive our mission of accelerating the energy transition by delivering safe, secure and reliable battery storage assets that provide cost-effective clean energy.'
Lucie Kanius-Dujardin, Global Managing Director of NHOA Energy, also shared her thoughts, saying: 'These projects exemplify how trusted, high-performance partnerships are essential for the energy transition. The delivery of both sites in parallel required close coordination between NHOA Energy and Eku Energy. We are sincerely grateful to Eku Energy for their trust and collaboration throughout every phase of the process. From system engineering to production, and from logistics to on-site commissioning, all teams operated with agility and a shared commitment to excellence. Delivering clean energy infrastructures does not stop at commissioning. It’s about staying, operating, and growing together, and we are proud to continue our journey alongside Eku Energy.'
Both the Basildon and Loudwater projects use BESS equipment supplied by NHOA Energy together with operating infrastructure and auxiliary systems supplied by BOP contractor ESM Power. Under separate long-term service agreements, NHOA Energy will provide operations and maintenance services for both sites, ensuring continuous performance and system reliability over time.
Burrows explained, 'Partnering and our long-term approach are core to our mission.'
The Loudwater BESS is 39MW in size with a storage capacity of 55MWh and covers 0.6-acres of rural land near the town of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. The on-site equipment adopts a low visual profile and colour scheme in recognition of its rural surroundings. Statkraft Energy will trade the Loudwater BESS on Eku Energy’s behalf.
The Basildon BESS is 28MW in size with a storage capacity of 56MWh. It is Eku Energy’s first two-hour battery system in the UK and covers 1.6 acres of land. The project will support the National Grid in this important network location close to other generation sources including a solar PV farm and two gas-fired peaking power stations, critical 400 kV Substations and the upcoming grid upgrade from Tilbury to Norwich. Battery storage optimiser Habitat Energy will manage energy trading on Eku Energy’s behalf.
Burrows concluded by saying, 'Battery storage is an integral part of building more flexible and resilient energy systems that are transitioning towards a higher penetration of renewable generation. Operating across the entire project lifecycle, combined with our ecosystem of trusted partners and our global reach means we are well placed to help accelerate the energy transition in the United Kingdom.'
