The Whitebirk BESS is slated to begin operations later in 2025, while Holmston and Drum Farm are expected to start in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Once operational, these sites will collectively supply power equivalent to the needs of 416,667 homes for two hours during peak demand. Stephen White, Field’s chief financial officer, stated: “We are delighted to partner with ING and Rabobank as we work to deliver our pipeline of battery storage sites in the UK.”
The financing aligns with the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which projects a need for 23-27GW of battery storage capacity by 2030, up from the current 5GW. The agreement also includes the use of Field’s in-house flexibility platform, Gaia, to optimize the performance of all three sites once fully operational. White added: “Battery storage plays an increasingly important role in a power system run by cleaner electricity, reducing the need for curtailment, and therefore, costly constraint payments at a time when energy bills are already high.”
Rabobank’s executive director for project finance, Carol Kort, commented: “Rabobank is delighted to finance Field’s 125MW/250MWh BESS portfolio, advancing the UK’s energy transition targets.” She emphasized the bank’s expertise in providing tailored financing for renewable energy projects. Similarly, ING’s renewables lead, Sylvan Jonker, noted: “Investments in battery energy storage systems are vital for the energy transition and a testimony of ING’s dedication to triple new financing of renewable energy by 2025.”
Field was advised by financial advisor Elgar Middleton and law firm TLT on the transaction. The projects support the UK’s efforts to enhance clean energy infrastructure and ensure grid stability through sustainable solutions.
