NatPower UK has secured an agreement with Sembcorp Utilities (UK), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Energy UK, for a 32-acre site at Wilton International in Redcar to deliver a 1GW / 8GWh lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), one of the UK’s highest-capacity and longest-duration projects and the first to combine utility-scale grid storage with dedicated port electrification infrastructure.
Fully privately financed and representing a £1bn investment, the Teesside GigaPark will operate at four hours’ storage capacity (4GWh) initially, with potential to double to eight hours (8GWh). This level of duration and capacity combined has not been delivered before in the UK, where most BESS developments operate at one to two hours.
Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower UK and NatPower Marine (pictured), said, “Teesside, our most advanced GigaPark, located at Wilton International, will be the blueprint for how we combine high-capacity renewable energy storage with the electrification of ports and industry. Within five years, we can transform one of the UK’s most important industrial hubs into a net-zero economic powerhouse and then replicate this model in ports across the globe.”
Connecting clean generation to increasing demand
The project holds a 1GW connection agreement with the National Energy System Operator for a 400kV connection to National Grid’s substation. NatPower will build and operate the site, with the aim of connecting it to the grid by 2028. The infrastructure is being designed from the outset to power ships at berth (cold ironing) and recharge electric propulsion systems for future vessel types.
The Teesside GigaPark’s BESS will be one of the most advanced in the UK, designed to keep the grid balanced as the nation transitions to clean energy. With electricity demand forecast to rise by 50% by 2050 and an extra 15% expected from shipping electrification, the UK grid faces unprecedented pressure. The multi-gigawatt system will store surplus renewable electricity from offshore wind and other generators when production is high, then release it instantly during periods of peak demand or low generation. This capability will help cut the curtailment of renewable energy. Nationally, the widespread deployment of large-scale, long-duration storage could save the UK energy system up to £3.5 billion a year, according to Imperial College London. By replacing the need for fossil-fuel peaker plants, the GigaPark will also stabilise the grid, lower emissions and make key UK sectors, including steel, chemicals, advanced manufacturing and other energy-intensive industries, more resilient and competitive.
Zeroing maritime emissions
This same clean, flexible power will now enable the potential for decarbonising UK shipping at Teesside. Once operational, the BESS infrastructure will make it possible to provide shore power to ships for cold ironing at berth, eliminating emissions while docked, at anchor, and for electric propulsion while operating near-shore. This capability will position Teesside as a prospective leader in marine electrification and aligns with the UK’s maritime climate targets.
Mike Patrick, CEO of Sembcorp Energy UK, said, “We are pleased to support NatPower to bring one of the UK’s most advanced battery energy storage projects to Wilton International. With its robust grid infrastructure, Wilton International offers the ideal platform for scaling long-duration battery storage and supporting maritime electrification. This project further strengthens Wilton International’s role as a strategic site for low-carbon innovation, driving the UK’s journey towards a net-zero future.”
Creating sustainable communities
NatPower’s investment will anchor Teesside as a national clean energy hub within the UK’s Freeport network. It will deliver high-quality jobs, including around 200 during construction and permanent skilled roles in operations and maintenance. NatPower is in advanced talks with local colleges and environmental organisations to launch clean energy and engineering training, while local manufacturers, engineering firms, and logistics operators will be able to benefit from new supply chain opportunities. Potential partnerships with universities are also being explored in areas such as smart grid integration, offshore wind maintenance, and marine decarbonisation. NatPower UK will also make a substantial contribution each year to the local community once operational, in a community benefit fund operated by Evogea, a dedicated foundation.
The scale and reliability of the GigaPark will also appeal to energy-intensive users such as data centres, logistics hubs, and clean manufacturing facilities. NatPower is already in discussions with potential industrial off-takers, with draft commercial agreements in progress.
