Southampton port advances grid resilience

The advanced Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will be built on a regenerated brownfield site at Marchwood Industrial Park in Southampton, enhancing regional grid infrastructure and supporting future port electrification. 

“We’re proud to be regenerating a brownfield site for clean energy, delivering electricity to support local businesses and homes and resilience to the network,” said Tim Hook, lead asset manager, ABP Southampton.

“This project will offer valuable insights into how future energy storage solutions can be delivered within the port, reinforcing our commitment to deliver sustainable infrastructure and decarbonising of our operations.”

Essential infrastructure

The seven-acre site sits close to the Marchwood National Grid Substation, enabling connection with minimal disruption to surrounding port infrastructure.

BW ESS is the developer, owner and operator of large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), with 2.4GWh of projects operating and under construction in the UK and a 10GW global pipeline.

It will develop and operate the energy storage facility under a long-term lease.  The project is expected to be fully operational by late 2028 and deliver a 40-year lifespan of clean energy support.

The facility has been recognised by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as essential electrical infrastructure, providing flexibility to balance renewable generation and stabilise supply.

By capturing surplus electricity and releasing it during peak demand, the BESS will help reduce grid capacity pressures on local homes, businesses and future port electrification projects, reinforcing ABP’s mission of helping expedite the energy transition.