Masdar strengthens commitment to UK energy security with second battery storage project starting operations

• Commercial operations begin at 35MW/70MWh Rochdale project, which provides clean power for 35,000 homes per day
• Plant can respond to changes in electricity demand in milliseconds, helping to maintain grid stability, and will provide balancing services to grid operator
• Masdar is committed to investing £1 billion to develop 3GWh pipeline of storage projects in UK, part of its wider commitment to enhancing nation's energy security

24 August 2026, United Kingdom: Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, a global clean energy leader, has strengthened its commitment to UK energy security with its second battery energy storage system (BESS) project in the country starting commercial operations. The opening of the facility in Rochdale is the latest milestone in Masdar's planned £1 billion investment program in BESS projects in the UK.

The 35-megawatt (MW)/70-megawatt-hours (MWh) Rochdale plant will provide enough clean power for 35,000 homes per day, based upon two charging and discharging cycles per day. The facility will also provide critical grid balancing services, responding to fluctuations in supply and demand within milliseconds to help maintain a secure and reliable electricity network.

£1 billion investment in UK energy infrastructure

Following its acquisition of Arlington Energy in 2022, Masdar committed to developing a 3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) pipeline of BESS projects in the UK, one of the largest in the country. The portfolio will play a vital role in supporting the integration of renewables into the country's energy mix and enhancing grid stability, with the aim of lowering consumer bills.

The investment is aligned with the UK government's Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which is targeting building up to 27GW of battery storage by the end of this decade.

Husain Al Meer, Executive Director, Global Offshore Wind & UK, Masdar said: "Beginning commercial operations at our Rochdale facility is a key milestone in our £1 billion commitment to UK battery storage. As electricity demand grows and renewable generation continues to expand, battery storage is becoming an increasingly vital component of maintaining a secure, reliable and affordable electricity network. Our continuing rollout of our £1 billion pipeline reflects Masdar's long-term commitment to the UK and we are proud to be supporting the country's energy security by delivering the flexible infrastructure needed to enable greater renewable energy deployment."

The Rochdale project follows Masdar's 20MW/40MWh Welkin Road project in Stockport beginning commercial operations last December. The company is also currently developing projects in Chesterfield and Cardiff, which will have a combined capacity of 150MW/300MWh. Project financing for the four projects was successfully completed last month, with Masdar securing up to £97 million from SMBC and ING.  

Enhancing grid stability

BESS solutions are critical to integrating renewables into modern electricity networks, providing flexible energy to the grid by storing energy in periods of low demand and releasing it at peak times. This flexibility enhances grid stability and energy security, supports the integration of renewable energy, and contributes to lowering consumer bills and carbon emissions.

Built to international standards of safety and security, Masdar's BESS projects incorporate state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression systems, with 24-hour CCTV monitoring and local response capability.

The company's UK BESS projects are also being built in close consultation with local stakeholders to ensure they deliver positive impact to local communities as well as providing tangible national economic benefit. 

Global storage leadership

As electricity demand accelerates, driven by electrification and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure, Masdar is strengthening its global leadership position in battery storage. Last October, Masdar broke ground in Abu Dhabi on the world's first gigascale 24/7 solar and battery storage project, which will combine a 5.2GW solar plant with a 19GWh BESS to deliver up to 1GW baseload power every day.

Beyond battery storage, Masdar is a leading investor, developer, and operator in the UK offshore wind sector. Major UK projects include a €5.2 billion co-investment with Iberdrola in the 1.4GW East Anglia THREE offshore wind facility, which will power the equivalent of 1.3 million homes, and the 3GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm being developed in partnership with RWE.

Masdar has built one of the world's fastest-growing renewable energy portfolios, with more than 65GW of capacity across established and high-growth renewable energy markets, spanning technologies including solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, battery storage and hybrid solutions. With a clear pathway to 100GW of energy capacity by 2030, Masdar continues to expand through disciplined investment in strategic markets, delivering reliable, affordable clean power to meet rapidly growing electricity demand while supporting energy security and economic growth.