Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 14, EDF has signed a long-term agreement with solar and energy storage developer Elements Green to advance the 360MW/720MWh Staythorpe battery energy storage system (BESS) in Nottinghamshire, England. Scheduled to become operational in 2027, Staythorpe is set to be among the largest battery storage projects in the UK, supporting grid stability and enabling increased integration of renewable energy. Once fully operational, the facility will supply power to more than 95,000 homes for a full day.

The BESS is set to become operational in 2027.

James Gates, CIO of Elements Green, said: “Staythorpe is exactly the kind of large-scale project that can make a meaningful impact on the UK’s energy system. Its location next to a major National Grid substation makes it ideally suited for better storage at scale, and partnering with EDF ensures we have the commercial framework in place to deliver reliable performance for decades to come.”

Under the agreement, EDF’s Wholesale Market Services team will secure a minimum income level from grid balancing in addition to the project’s 15-year capacity market contract. This arrangement provides enhanced financial certainty and encourages investment in the infrastructure necessary for the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system. EDF will also manage the battery via its Powershift platform to optimise returns from market opportunities.

Elements Green has recently obtained a £140 million ($189 million) unitranche debt facility from Goldman Sachs Alternatives for Staythorpe, marking a key milestone that allows for full construction and energisation of the site. The project is expected to support the UK’s energy system, deliver biodiversity enhancements, promote community initiatives, and create skilled local jobs.

Stuart Fenner, commercial director at EDF Wholesale Market Services, said: “Staythorpe isn’t just another project. It is a major step in building the reliable, secure, low-carbon power system Britain needs. Large-scale storage is essential to make the most of renewable energy, and with Elements Green we are giving this project the certainty and capability to deliver lasting value and real progress towards net zero.”

EDF is one of the UK’s largest generators of low-carbon electricity and a leading provider of battery optimisation and trading services. The company currently has over 950MW of battery storage under contract in Great Britain and continues to collaborate with developers, investors, and the grid to create a more flexible, resilient, and low-carbon energy system.

Earlier this month, EDF also signed a long-term agreement with Ampeak Energy to optimise the AW1 BESS facility at Uskmouth in South Wales, further strengthening its role in the UK’s energy storage sector.

The Staythorpe project represents a strategic step in EDF’s mission to expand battery storage capacity, enhance grid reliability, and support the UK’s low-carbon transition while delivering tangible benefits to local communities and the wider energy system.