Associated British Ports Southampton is partnering with BW ESS to deliver an advanced energy storage solution at Marchwood Industrial Park.
The facility will support regional and national power network resilience and sustainability, representing another tangible example of ABP fulfilling its mission of Enabling the Energy Transition.
BW ESS develops, owns, and operates large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems, with 2.4GWh of projects operating and under construction in the UK, and a 10GW global pipeline.
Following recent planning approval from New Forest District Council, the BESS facility will be developed on a brownfield site within Marchwood Industrial Park, where existing buildings have reached their economic life end and no longer meet modern energy efficiency or sustainability standards.
BW ESS will develop the BESS facility on approximately seven acres of land under a long-term lease.
The site is ideally positioned near the Marchwood National Grid Substation, enabling grid connection with minimal disruption to the surrounding area. The facility is expected to be fully operational by late 2028 and will have a 40-year lifespan.
Tim Hook, Lead Asset Manager, stated this project will offer valuable insights into how future energy storage solutions can be delivered within the Port, reinforcing the commitment to deliver sustainable infrastructure and decarbonize our operations.
Richard Thwaites, Executive Director and Head of UK at BW ESS, commented the project will represent significant investment in critical energy infrastructure and will repurpose a brownfield site immediately adjacent to the National Grid substation.
Recognized by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as essential electrical infrastructure, BESS are a critical enabler of the UK’s transition to net zero, providing the flexibility required to balance renewable generation and ensure grid stability.
BESS store excess electricity from the grid during high production hours and release it when demand is high, helping alleviate grid capacity challenges faced by local homes and businesses.
