Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – Masdar has begun commercial operations at its 20 MW/40 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Stockport, the first under its £1 billion ($1.3 billion) UK investment commitment.

The facility can store enough clean electricity to power 20,000 homes for over two hours.

Masdar will also develop two additional BESS projects in Cardiff and Chesterfield, with a combined capacity of 150 MW/300 MWh, storing enough energy to supply more than 35,000 homes for a full day.

BESS systems balance intermittent renewable energy, enhancing grid stability, energy security, and supporting carbon reduction.

Masdar’s projects are built to international safety standards with fire suppression, 24-hour CCTV, and local response capabilities.

Located on previously developed brownfield sites, the projects enhance biodiversity, repurpose under-utilised land, and establish community funds.

Masdar’s UK strategy follows its 2022 acquisition of Arlington Energy, aiming to deliver a 3 GWh BESS pipeline and support the UK government’s 27 GW battery storage target by 2030.

The company is also advancing large-scale renewable projects, including the €5.2 billion East Anglia THREE offshore wind farm, the 3 GW Dogger Bank South project, and Abu Dhabi’s world-first 5.2 GW gigascale 24/7 solar and 19 GWh BESS system, demonstrating Masdar’s global leadership in renewable energy and storage solutions.

Husain Al Meer, Masdar Director, Global Offshore Wind & UK, said: "Today’s announcements demonstrate that we are accelerating progress towards delivering on our £1 billion pipeline. BESS is critical to helping the UK to transform its energy systems, unlock more renewables deployment, and bring tangible benefits to consumers, businesses, and local communities. Masdar is proud to be at the forefront of this sector in the UK and beyond."