Statera Energy has secured planning permission for a 500MW battery energy storage (BESS) site in Culham, Oxfordshire.
Strategically located near National Grid’s Culham substation and the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Culham Campus, the project aims to support the decarbonisation of the UK’s electricity system.
Culham Storage (site rendering pictured) is expected to provide enough clean, flexible electricity to power up to 540,000 homes at peak demand.
The project will also deliver the essential power stability needed to underpin to Culham Campus, the UK’s first AI Growth Zone, supporting its ambition to become a world-leading hub for fusion research and innovation.
Statera Energy’s development lead Oliver Troup said: “This 500MW BESS at Culham will play an important role in helping the UK achieve its Clean Power 2030 targets.
“Its strategic placement and significant capacity will enable us to more effectively manage the intermittent nature of renewable energy, boosting local grid stability and national energy security.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners at UKAEA and NGET to deliver this essential project responsibly and effectively.”
Battery storage is central to the UK’s clean power strategy. According to the National Energy System Operator (NESO), the UK requires up to 27GW of battery capacity by 2030 to deliver secure, affordable electricity in a renewables-led system.
Today, Statera has over 2.1GW of UK projects that are either operational or in construction, and over 16GW in development or consented.
Statera said the Culham Storage development will prioritise the local environment and community, setting aside 16 hectares for landscaping, including new woodland and grassland habitats. This will help restore a registered park and garden and is expected to deliver a substantial 62% biodiversity net gain.