UK Unveils Its First 1-Gigawatt Battery Station to Supply Homes, Factories, and Electric Ships with Power

The Teesside GigaPark, a groundbreaking project by NatPower, is set to revolutionise the energy landscape in the UK. This private initiative, which does not rely on government contracts, is poised to become the largest and longest-duration battery storage facility in the country upon completion in 2028.

The Teesside GigaPark, a 1GW / 8GWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system, will create 200 construction jobs and launch clean energy training programs for the future workforce. The project aligns with wider political and financial backing for battery storage in the UK, including a EUR 500 million commitment from the Labour's National Wealth Fund.

The Teesside GigaPark will deliver an initial 4 GWh of four-hour storage, with potential scalability to 8 GWh over eight hours. This vast storage capacity will not only support the UK's clean power growth but also lower energy bills, a point emphasised by leaders such as Chancellor Rachel Reeves and energy minister Michael Shanks.

The Teesside GigaPark is designed to provide shore power (cold ironing) to berthed ships, allowing vessels to switch off their diesel engines while docked. This infrastructure, designed from the ground up to support port electrification, including electric ship propulsion, will contribute significantly to reducing emissions in the maritime industry.

Draft commercial agreements with potential industrial partners are in progress for the Teesside GigaPark. The project is attracting interest from energy-hungry industries such as data centers, logistics hubs, and manufacturing plants. The Teesside GigaPark, once connected to the National Grid, could save the UK as much as EUR 3.5 billion each year by cutting grid inefficiencies and preventing the waste of clean power.

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The Teesside GigaPark has a 1 GW connection agreement with the UK's National Energy System Operator. The project includes plans for a 400 kV link to the National Grid substation. The UK is planning to build its first 1GW battery site to power homes, industries, and electric ships.

The Teesside GigaPark project is a significant step towards a sustainable, efficient, and self-sufficient energy future for the UK.

UK Unveils Its First 1-Gigawatt Battery Station to Supply Homes, Factories, and Electric Ships with Power