EDF Group has acquired UK battery storage start-up Pivot Power for an undisclosed price.
Pivot Power, which becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of EDF Renewables, has a portfolio of projects across more than 40 locations throughout the UK.
It plans to install batteries connected directly to the high-voltage transmission system with a total capacity of up to 2GW.
The first two storage projects at Kemsley in Kent and Cowley in Oxford have land, planning and grid connection agreements in place and are expected to be commissioned in 2020.
Pivot Power will develop a private wire infrastructure to enable, among other opportunities, the development of mass rapid charging points for electric vehicles across the UK.
EDF said the acquisition contributes to its target of being the leader in Europe with 10GW of additional storage by 2035.
The acquisition is also in line with the company’s Electric Mobility Plan, to become the leading electric mobility company by 2022 in the UK, France, Italy and Belgium.
Beyond this 2022 date, the group’s goal is to provide power for 600,000 electric vehicles and providing 75,000 charging points, the company said.
EDF Renewables chief executive Bruno Bensasson said: “Following PowerFlex Systems recent acquisition in the United States, this new acquisition of smart electricity storage and electric vehicle charging systems player is strengthening our expertise globally.
“Thanks to the skills developed within this specific field of new uses of electricity, the Pivot Power team will be a great addition to EDF.
“This is another positive step in the roll-out of the group’s electricity storage and mobility plans.”
EDF Energy chief executive Simone Rossi said: “Battery storage and electric vehicles are two key technologies which will help lower carbon emissions, alongside generation from renewables and nuclear.
“The acquisition of Pivot Power shows EDF is investing in a wide range of projects to deliver the huge shift to low carbon energy the UK will need to reach net zero by 2050.”
Pivot Power co-founder and chief executive Matt Allen said: “Pivot Power’s purpose from the start has always been to accelerate the UK’s transition to a cost-effective, reliable, low-carbon energy system and in parallel fast-track the rapid adoption of clean transport.
“EDF Renewables shares our vision and of course brings the expertise, resources and platform to make this a reality.”