FRV and Harmony Energy announce Europe’s joint largest battery storage system by MWh

Southern England has become the location for Europe’s joint largest battery energy storage system (BESS) by MWh. Renewable energy development company Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) - part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy - and UK-based Harmony Energy, a developer, owner and operator of renewable energy infrastructure across Europe and New Zealand, on Thursday announced the energisation and launch of Clay Tye.

With 99MW/198MWh capacity, it is Europe’s joint largest operational BESS by MWh and will support the mission to decarbonise the UK’s energy grid and enhance energy security.

Reliable power for communities

Located in Essex, Clay Tye has enough power capacity to supply energy to 300,000-plus homes for two hours at a time. The project will follow successful completion of FRV and Harmony Energy’s West-Sussex BESS, Contego, with 34MW/68MWh capacity, and FRV and Harmony Energy BESS, Holes Bay, which has 7.5MW/15MWh capacity.

Clay Tye uses 52 Tesla Megapack lithium-ion batteries, together with Tesla’s Autobidder AI software for energy capacity sharing and efficient project management.

Megapack batteries have 198MWh capacity and are connected to the UK Power Networks distribution network, allowing them to store energy from renewable sources and provide on-peak flexibility to the UK’s national grid as part of continued transition from fossil fuels.

Key step on transition roadway

Fady Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel, International, described BESS as a highly relevant and complementary component in Abdul Latif Jameel Energy’s commitment to drive the transition to sustainable energy.

“Our goal is to build a legacy in the countries and industries where we establish projects, taking a long-term, responsible approach,” he said. “With the official inauguration of Clay Tye, we mark another important step forward in supporting the UK with its decarbonisation and energy security goals.”

Mission to build storage projects worldwide

The project reflects FRV’s long-term plan to develop energy storage projects globally, including the UK, Australia, Mexico, Chile and Spain. 

Chief Innovation Officer of FRV, Felipe Hernández, cited Clay Tye as an important milestone in the firm’s ambition to grow in the UK energy storage market. “This BESS reinforces the long-term sustainability of our business model and our market leadership position…FRV continues to move forward on the path of future assets in the country that are currently in commercial operation, construction and development.”

Peter Kavanagh, Harmony Energy’s CEO, confirmed this as one of the largest projects of its kind in Europe and will “contribute to future energy security, make energy bills more affordable, while supporting the decarbonisation of the grid”.