Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar has commenced commercial operations at its 35 MW/70 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Rochdale, UK, marking the company’s second operational battery storage project in the country.
The project forms part of Masdar’s planned £1 billion investment programme in UK battery energy storage projects. The Rochdale facility is expected to provide enough clean power to supply approximately 35,000 homes per day, based on two charging and discharging cycles daily.
The BESS will also provide grid-balancing services by responding to changes in electricity supply and demand within milliseconds. The facility is designed to support grid stability and enable greater integration of renewable energy into the UK electricity system.
Masdar’s £1 Billion UK BESS Programme
Following its acquisition of Arlington Energy in 2022, Masdar committed to developing a 3 GWh pipeline of battery storage projects in the UK. The portfolio is intended to support renewable energy integration, enhance grid stability and contribute to the UK’s energy security.
The investment aligns with the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which targets up to 27 GW of battery storage capacity by the end of the decade.
The Rochdale project follows Masdar’s 20 MW/40 MWh Welkin Road BESS in Stockport, which began commercial operations in December 2025. The company is also developing BESS projects in Chesterfield and Cardiff, with a combined capacity of 150 MW/300 MWh.
Masdar recently completed project financing for the four projects, securing up to £97 million from SMBC and ING.
Supporting Grid Stability
Battery energy storage systems can store electricity during periods of low demand and discharge it when demand increases, providing flexibility to the electricity grid. Masdar said its UK BESS projects incorporate fire detection and suppression systems, 24-hour CCTV monitoring and local response capabilities.
The projects are also being developed in consultation with local stakeholders, with the company aiming to deliver economic and community benefits alongside national energy infrastructure.
Expanding Global Energy Storage Portfolio
The Rochdale commissioning forms part of Masdar’s broader expansion in battery storage as electricity demand rises due to electrification, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.
Masdar currently has more than 65 GW of renewable energy capacity across its global portfolio, spanning solar, onshore and offshore wind, battery storage and hybrid solutions. The company aims to reach 100 GW of energy capacity by 2030.
In the UK, Masdar is also involved in major offshore wind projects, including the 1.4 GW East Anglia THREE project with Iberdrola and the 3 GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm with RWE.
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