Masdar buys Arlington Energy to expands its UK and European renewable energy presence

Masdar has acquired UK-based battery energy storage system (BESS) developer Arlington Energy. The acquisition will enable Masdar to expand its presence in the UK and European renewable energy markets and support countries’ net-zero objectives.

Based in London, Arlington Energy has a proven record in developing, building, operating and financing flexible energy solutions, having taken over 170 megawatts (MW) of assets through to operation in the past two years. Masdar’s acquisition of Arlington Energy will enable the development, construction, operational management, and financing of BESS projects under one Masdar-Arlington platform. 

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said, “Masdar and Arlington Energy share a long-standing belief that greater investment in energy storage is critical if countries are to expand their renewable energy portfolios and achieve their net-zero ambitions. By working together, we will be able to provide a more resilient and flexible energy resource, helping to accelerate the UK and other European countries’ clean energy transitions, and supporting our efforts in expanding our offshore wind and broader renewables portfolio.”

Matthew Clare, Cofounder and Director of Arlington Energy, said: “Partnering with Masdar allows us to accelerate our BESS rollout in the UK and will make us the leading platform for energy storage. This partnership creates a business with huge potential, immediately capable of delivering at scale domestically, and in other markets in the future, as more nations join the UAE and UK in setting net-zero targets.” 

Europe could need as much as 200 gigawatts of storage capacity by 2030, if it is to meet its renewable energy targets, according to a recent industry report. The UK alone may need as much as 50 GW of storage capacity by 2050, to achieve its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to the National Grid. BESS solutions provide flexible energy to the grid, helping to overcome renewables’ intermittency challenges, and allowing energy to be released during peak demand, helping to ensure system security while keeping consumer costs down.

Alongside the Arlington acquisition, Masdar intends to increase its investment in offshore wind and other renewables projects in new and existing markets, including the UK.