Located near the site of a former coal-fired power station that operated for over 80 years until its closure in 1977 and demolition in 1985, the Ocker Hill BESS is scheduled to begin construction in June 2025, with commissioning expected by late 2026. The project will utilize 54 Tesla Megapacks, with H&MV Engineering serving as the Balance of Plant contractor. SmartestEnergy, a subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation, will act as the tolling provider under a 10-year agreement.
In addition to the Ocker Hill financing, SMBC and NatWest have committed a £100 million accordion facility to fund Eku Energy’s upcoming UK projects. This includes developments from the recently acquired Bluestone Energy BESS portfolio, which comprises seven planned projects with a total capacity of 1 GW / 2 GWh. The Ocker Hill BESS marks Eku Energy’s fourth energy storage project in the UK, either operational or under construction.
Elias Saba, chief technology officer at Eku Energy, stated: “Forty years after the demolition of the original coal-fired power station at Ocker Hill, the nearby Ocker Hill BESS will be providing energy and grid services. With Ocker Hill BESS and its innovative long-term offtake from SmartestEnergy, we further enable the energy transition and uptake of renewable energy.”
Daniel Burrows, Eku Energy’s chief executive, added: “Eku Energy’s growing portfolio in the United Kingdom reflects our commitment to deliver safe, secure, and reliable energy storage solutions that will provide cost-effective clean energy. By securing strong financial backing from NatWest Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation for the Ocker Hill BESS and partnering with Tesla and SmartestEnergy, we are continuing to expand our role in building a more flexible and resilient energy system for the United Kingdom.”
The financing and partnerships underscore Eku Energy’s dedication to advancing renewable energy infrastructure. The Ocker Hill BESS and other planned projects will enhance the UK’s energy grid, supporting the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources while ensuring reliability and cost efficiency.
