Fidra has made an announcement that it has secured up to £445 million($603m) of new equity investment from EIG and the UK’s National Wealth Fund (NWF). This, alongside new loan facilities totalling GBP 594 million from a club of international lenders, will fund Thorpe Marsh BESS Project.
Furthermore, with this financing in place, construction of the project will commence immediately. Additionally, the facility is expected to commence operations from mid-2027. The project will use battery systems provided by China’s Sungrow.
Project Factsheet
Name: Thorpe Marsh BESS Project
Developer: Fidra Energy, a European battery energy storage platform owned by institutional investor EIG.
Location: The project is being developed on approximately 55 acres of land. This is at the site of a former coal power station in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK.
Capacity: 1.4 GW / 3.1 GWh. This is expected to be three times larger than any other BESS project currently in operation or under construction in the UK.
Expected operation: Construction is set to begin immediately following financial close, with the facility expected to be operational starting in mid-2027.
Total funding secured: Approximately £1 billion.
Key contractors:
- Battery supply: Sungrow will supply its Power Titan 2.0 batteries.
- Grid connection: H&MV Engineering will be the principal designer and contractor for the 400kV grid connection and electrical/mechanical scheme.
- Civil works: Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK will handle the civil and drainage works.
Developers
Fidra is also partnering with H&MV Engineering and Jones Bros., Civil Engineering UK, on the delivery of mega battery project. Furthermore, Fidra has secured long-term offtake with EDF, Octopus Energy and Statkraft for around 80% of Thorpe Marsh Battery Project capacity. Also, in March 2025, the project also won a 15-year capacity market award from the UK government.
Significance of the Project
Thorpe Marsh will stand as the largest standalone BESS project funded globally. Also, it will be the largest BESS financing in Europe. Additionally, it will join the battery EV plant in Somerset in securing UK’S energy future.
“It is impressive to see the National Wealth Fund breathing new life into a former coal site by turning it into a cutting-edge battery hub. Additionally, this battery hub will power thousands of British homes and businesses with clean energy from both wind and solar,” stated the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
