UK transmission-connected 100MW BESS online at former coal plant site

LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email

A 100MW battery storage project in the UK connected to National Grid’s transmission network has gone online, developed by Pacific Green on the former site of a coal plant.

UK transmission system operator (TSO) National Grid has plugged in the 100MW/100MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project to its 400kV Richborough substation.

The project, dubbed the Richborough Energy Park battery, is owned by asset manager Sosteneo Infrastructure Partners which acquired it from developer Pacific Green in July 2023, as reported by our sister site Solar Power Portal.

Most BESS projects in the UK connect into the lower-voltage networks run by distribution network operators (DNOs) rather than National Grid’s high-voltage network. Benefits of the latter include a more reliable connection and better visibility in National Grid control rooms.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Enjoy 12 months of exclusive analysis

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Annual digital subscription to the PV Tech Power journal
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

One of the first UK developers to opt for transmission-connected BESS projects was Pivot Power, which was acquired by EDF Renewables.

The BESS project was built on a brownfield site which previously occupied a coal-fired power station. As Energy-Storage.news has previously written, building renewables on sites formerly housing legacy power plants allows for the use of existing grid capacity.

Richborough substation hosts the connection for National Grid own 1GW Nemo Link interconnector with Belgium while the 300MW Thanet Offshore Wind Farm also connects into an adjacent substation on the wider Richborough Energy Park site.

Energy-Storage.news’ publisher Solar Media will host the 9th annual Energy Storage Summit EU in London, 20-21 February 2024. This year it is moving to a larger venue, bringing together Europe’s leading investors, policymakers, developers, utilities, energy buyers and service providers all in one place. Visit the official site for more info.

Read Next

September 4, 2025
Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has announced its largest-ever investment commitment, with AU$3.8 billion (US$2.5 billion) allocated to support the Marinus Link interconnector connecting the states of Tasmania and Victoria.
Premium
September 3, 2025
The UK had one of its best months of the year for large-scale BESS projects being completed in August.
September 2, 2025
The sale of the UK BESS-holding Harmony Energy Income Trust (HEIT) proved private capital’s greater patience and valuation around the asset class, the CEO of its former investment advisor told Energy-Storage.news.
August 29, 2025
Potentia Energy, a joint venture co-owned by Enel Green Power and INPEX, has secured the first environmental approval for a grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) under South Australia’s new Hydrogen and Renewable Energy (HRE) Act.
Premium
August 27, 2025
We catch up with the CEO of BESS developer Harmony Energy about its strategy and plans going forward, following the sale of its affiliated Harmony Energy Income Trust (HEIT).

Most Popular

Email Newsletter