Statkraft agrees PPA with Fidera Energy for UK's largest battery scheme

Statkraft, a leading provider of market access and optimisation services, has agreed a PPA with Fidra Energy for its Thorpe Marsh battery energy storage scheme (BESS), which will be the largest battery storage facility in the UK once operational.

Batteries  enable energy from renewable sources to be stored during times of low demand and dispatched at times of peak electricity demand, meaning the grid becomes less dependent on importing oil and gas from abroad, leading to greater energy security and more stable energy bills.

Statkraft’s London-based origination team are the leading long-term traders in energy transition trading in the UK, with over 4GW of long-term renewable PPAs and 3.5GW of flexible assets such as batteries and flexible generation under contract, almost all of which is third party.

The 1.4GW Thorpe Marsh project, which will be located on land in Yorkshire adjacent to a former coal-fired power station, will be big enough to supply about 785,000 homes in the UK. Statkraft, which will optimise 280MW of the project, has provided a PPA with a long-term income guarantee to support the financing of this new scheme, expected to be operational in mid-2027.

Brian Lonn, Statkraft’s Head of UK Flexibility, said: “The scale of Thorpe Marsh BESS is exciting, and represents a major step forward in the energy transition in the UK. I’m proud that Statkraft will play a leading role in bringing it to fruition, working with Fidra’s commercial team, who have found innovative contracting solutions to support the delivery of this large-scale project.”

Lisa Mackay, Fidra Energy Chief Commercial Officer, said: "Thorpe Marsh represents a landmark moment for the UK’s energy transition, and we’re proud to be leading its development. Statkraft’s long-term commitment has helped us secure a robust investment framework that underpins the project’s delivery and future performance."