Richborough Energy Park
Location : Kent, United Kingdom
In December 2023, Pacific Green completed the development of a 100 MW/100 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at Richborough Energy Park in Kent, United Kingdom.
Project overview
Once a fossil fuel power station site, Richborough has been transformed into a modern renewable energy facility that stores surplus power from the grid—often generated by wind and solar—and releases it when demand peaks. This significantly increases the flexibility and capacity of the UK’s electricity transmission network.
Designed with a 45-year lifespan and powered by advanced LFP battery technology, this state-of-the-art system can power up to 250,000 homes for one hour, marking a major step toward cleaner energy.
Location
Richborough Energy Park is situated on the east coast of Kent, repurposing a former power station that originally burned coal and later converted to oil and Orimulsion. Its strategic location provides direct access to existing national grid connections, including the ±400 kV, 1,000 MW Nemo Link cable from Belgium and the grid link for the offshore Thanet Wind Farm.
This ideal setting maximizes the impact of the BESS by enabling efficient storage and dispatch of renewable electricity across the United Kingdom.
Performance So Far
Richborough Energy Park’s battery systems have quickly proven their impact. According to Modo Energy’s 2024 analysis, the project has saved more than 19,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in just eight months—an average of over 2,400 tonnes per month—making it the top-performing carbon-saving battery project in the UK for 2024. Two 50 MW units are managed and optimized by Pacific Green and Shell on behalf of Sosteneo, showcasing the remarkable ability of large-scale batteries to reduce grid-related emissions by storing renewable energy during off-peak times and releasing it when demand rises.
Partnership with Sosteneo
In June 2023, Pacific Green entered into an agreement to sell the Richborough Energy Park BESS to Sosteneo. Under this arrangement, Pacific Green continues to manage the facility through a long-term asset management contract, applying the company’s expertise across all stages of development, construction, and operations. This partnership underscores both organizations’ commitment to accelerating the UK’s clean energy transition by delivering flexible, reliable power solutions that harness the full potential of renewable resources.
Why Energy Storage is Beneficial
Energy storage systems are increasingly becoming a vital component of modern power grids, offering numerous benefits that enhance grid stability, promote renewable energy integration, and reduce electricity costs.
By capturing excess renewable energy and releasing it when needed, storage systems help smooth out supply and demand fluctuations, making the grid more resilient and less reliant on fossil fuels.
These advancements contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, while providing economic advantages through reduced operating costs and increased grid efficiency.
A winning formula
Pacific Green has an unrivalled capacity to execute BESS projects at scale and at speed. This is based on our combination of in-house technology, project development and project finance expertise – alongside our network of relationships with trusted global partners.
Extensive experience, global relationships
We have close relationships with some of the world’s best in battery technology. Consistent, reliable and dependable supply chains are key to our success.
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