NatPower UK has secured a site agreement with Sembcorp Utilities to build a 1GW/8GW battery energy storage system at Wilton International in Redcar.
According to the company, the privately funded £1bn Teesside GigaPark, will be one of the UK’s largest and longest-duration projects and the first to combine utility-scale storage with dedicated port electrification.
Construction is set to create around 200 jobs, with long-term skilled roles to follow, alongside an annual £2m contribution to a community benefit fund.
The system will connect to the National Grid via a 400kV link by 2028 and is designed to operate at four hours’ duration initially, with capacity to expand to eight hours.
The project will also support maritime decarbonisation by powering ships at berth through cold ironing and enabling recharge of future electric propulsion systems.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Energy storage is a pillar of a clean power system – helping to protect homes and businesses from future energy price shocks by stocking up on homegrown renewable energy at times of high generation to release it when needed, instead of relying on fossil fuels. It is projects like this that will help us to decarbonise our industries – as clean energy will be used to charge ships in one of Europe’s biggest ports, helping to cut emissions, create skilled jobs and boost local investment.”
Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower UK and NatPower Marine, said: “Teesside, our most advanced GigaPark, located at Wilton International, will be the blueprint for how we combine high-capacity renewable energy storage with the electrification of ports and industry. Within five years, we can transform one of the UK’s most important industrial hubs into a net-zero economic powerhouse and then replicate this model in ports across the globe.”
Mike Patrick, CEO of Sembcorp Energy UK, said: “We are pleased to support NatPower to bring one of the UK’s most advanced battery energy storage projects to Wilton International. With its robust grid infrastructure, Wilton International offers the ideal platform for scaling long-duration battery storage and supporting maritime electrification.”
Picture: Artist’s Impression of Teesside GigaPark, Battery Storage Project on Sembcorp Utilities’ Wilton International Site