Downing to start up 50MW Southampton battery in August, plans EV charging superhub in second phase

Investment manager Downing is set to complete a 50MW/53MWh battery at Nursling, Southampton, connected directly to the transmission network. The battery will trade in NGESO flexibility markets and a second phase aims to develop a private wire network and a utility scale electric vehicle charging super hub.

The deal is Dowling’s first front-of -meter battery asset and a big step up in capacity from its 3MW battery storage system at Arsenal Football Club’s stadium. The company said it was.  “the first step in a wider initiative to build a portfolio of energy storage assets”.

Grid connection works are already largely complete, and the project is expected to connect to the grid and begin operations in August.
Hyosung Heavy Industries corporation is the battery provider following a competitive process – the South Korean supplier’s first transmission-connected battery project in the UK, following deployment of 1.8 GWh globally.

Arun Construction Services is responsible for installation and managing director Philip Dedman said “We look forward to being back on site from mid-March 2021 to see the project through to completion, working in close collaboration with Downing.”
EDF won the tender for route-to-market and trading partner in a seven-year contract providing access to a revenue floor.
Downing was advised by Osborne Clarke LLP (Legal), Ove & Arup Partners (Technical) and Mazars (Financial).