EDF Renewables UK has signed a contract with Wärtsilä for a new transmission-connected battery storage facility in Sundon, Bedfordshire, which will form part of a new Energy Superhub in the region.
The 50 MW/100 MWh lithium-ion battery storage facility in Sundon will be capable of powering over 100,000 homes for two hours. The battery will enable more renewable energy integration – storing energy when supply is abundant and discharging it when demand peaks – and increase the resilience of the electricity system. Construction is expected to start in Spring 2023.
The battery will connect to the transmission network at National Grid’s Sundon Substation, with EDF Renewables UK being one of three customers connecting to the substation as part of a new grid park concept launched by National Grid to cost-effectively connect more renewables.
EDF Renewables UK will also develop a private wire network to support EV charging and the decarbonisation of transport. The private wire will share the battery connection to the transmission network, using it to deliver power to strategic locations in the local area, providing multi-megawatt capacity for ultra-rapid charging of electric vehicles (EVs), from cars to HGVs.
The project will form part of EDF Renewables UK’s nationwide rollout of Energy Superhubs, which will deliver up to 2 GW of transmission-connected battery storage and high-volume power connections. With transport and energy being the UK’s two most polluting sectors, EDF Renewables’ Energy Superhub model helps to cut emissions from both at the same time, scaling up renewable energy and clean transport to accelerate a net zero future.
EDF Renewables UKand Wärtsilä have worked closely together on several battery storage projects in the UK, including sites in Oxford, Birmingham, Coventry, and Kemsley in Kent.
Matthew Boulton, Director of Storage and Private Wire at EDF Renewables UK, said:
A renewable energy future is only made possible with a smart, flexible energy grid. That is why we are working with local councils to accelerate the rollout of Energy Superhubs, helping to unleash the potential of renewable energy and enable local people to reap the benefits of net zero through better access to zero carbon transport. We know the challenge ahead of us – we need more renewable energy and energy storage to back it up. Our battery storage facility in Sundon marks a key milestone for the UK as we lay the foundation for net zero.
Jens Norrgård, Energy Business Director, Europe, at Wärtsilä Energy, said:
This contract strengthens EDF Renewables and Wärtsilä’s partnership and demonstrates our commitment to supporting the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. Net-zero power systems can unlock huge reductions in emissions and cost, and the UK is pioneering this transition with world-leading renewable energy targets. Wärtsilä’s energy storage technology is an important part of the mosaic of flexible capacity needed to balance renewable energy. Alongside our other projects, Sundon is delivering on our global ambition to create clean power systems.
