China’s Sungrow has been chosen as the main technology supplier for the Thorpe Marsh project, the UK’s largest battery storage system. The company will install its PowerTitan 2.0 BESS system, bringing the project’s installed capacity to 1.6 GW / 3.3 GWh.
What exactly does the project consist of?
The Thorpe Marsh project will not only mark a before and after for the energy storage large-scale energy storage its capacity is equivalent to more than 20% of the entire national battery infrastructure currently installed. The system will power more than 785,000 homes each year and export more than 2,000 GWh annually, directly contributing to stabilizing the grid and managing the intermittency of renewable sources.
The project is being developed by Fidra Energy and has already started its construction phase to be operational by mid-2027. It is a stand-alone plant, i.e., it is not directly linked to renewable generation.
Sungrow’s technological bet
The PowerTitan 2.0 system is a battery energy storage system (BESS). battery energy storage system (BESS). large-scale, liquid-cooled, modular design. It is specifically designed for utility-scale projects, featuring high energy density and efficiency.
Unlike air-cooled systems, this system ensures a more uniform operating temperature for the battery cells. This results in longer service life, lower auxiliary power consumption for air conditioning and improved full cycle efficiency (RTE), which reduces operating costs.
Investment, institutional support and contracts
The Thorpe Marsh development has an investment of close to £750 million, backed by EIG, the UK National Wealth Fund and a syndicate of international lenders including Natwest, Santander CIB, Deutsche Bank AG, Société Générale and Standard Chartered Bank.
The viability of the project is ensured through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with EDF, Octopus Energy and Statkraft with EDF, Octopus Energy and Statkraft, which will cover around 80% of its capacity. In addition, it has received a capacity market award from the UK government for a 15-year period starting in 2028.
Towards 2035: An Energy Roadmap
In addition to the Thorpe Marsh project, the company will also contribute its technology to the West Burton C project (500 MW/1.1 GWh), also led by Fidra Energy. These initiatives underpin the UK’s commitment to carbon neutrality, which requires infrastructure capable of efficiently absorbing, storing and redistributing renewable energy.
Source: Sungrow