LONDON, UK – In a pivotal stride toward maritime decarbonisation and national energy resilience, NatPower UK has secured an agreement with Sembcorp Utilities (UK) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Energy UK, for a 32-acre site at Wilton International in Redcar to deliver a 1GW / 8GWh lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), one of the UK’s highest-capacity and longest-duration projects and the first to combine utility-scale grid storage with dedicated port electrification infrastructure. this landmark project is poised to redefine the country’s clean energy landscape, while creating a global blueprint for electrified ports and low-emission industrial hubs.
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1GW / 8GWh Storage System to Anchor UK’s Grid of the Future
At the heart of the GigaPark is a 1 gigawatt / 8 gigawatt-hour lithium-ion battery system, with initial operations targeted at 4GWh and the infrastructure ready to scale. Unlike typical UK BESS projects, which store energy for only 1–2 hours, Teesside’s long-duration capability dramatically extends discharge time, elevating grid resilience and renewable energy integration to new heights.
In a sector where curtailed renewable generation costs the UK an estimated £3.5 billion annually—a consequence of constrained grid capacity—this installation will absorb surplus wind and solar power, redistributing it during peak demand or low-output periods. By displacing fossil peaker plants, the system will reduce emissions, stabilise prices, and enable clean industrial growth.
Maritime Electrification: The World’s First Integrated Grid and Port BESS Hub
In a move of particular significance to the maritime and bunkering industries, the Teesside GigaPark is the UK’s first BESS development explicitly designed to support port electrification, offering “cold ironing” capabilities from day one. Ships berthed at the port will be able to shut off their engines and connect directly to clean, battery-stored power—eliminating dockside emissions and preparing the region for a new generation of hybrid and electric vessels.
This seamless integration of utility-scale storage with marine infrastructure is a first-of-its-kind—not only in the UK but globally—positioning Teesside as a flagship for clean port operations.
“Teesside, our most advanced GigaPark, will be the blueprint for how we combine high-capacity renewable energy storage with the electrification of ports and industry,” said Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower UK and NatPower Marine. “Within five years, we can transform one of the UK’s most important industrial hubs into a net-zero economic powerhouse—and then replicate this model in ports around the world.”
100% Privately Financed – No Government Subsidies
The proposed £1 billion investment would come entirely from private capital—a powerful market signal underscoring the commercial viability of large-scale, long-duration storage. With no reliance on government contracts or subsidies expected, NatPower’s model represents a new era of energy investment, rooted in economic rationale and industrial demand.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Energy storage is a pillar of a clean power system – helping to protect homes and businesses from future energy price shocks by stocking up on homegrown renewable energy at times of high generation to release it when needed, instead of relying on fossil fuels.”It is projects like this that will help us to decarbonise our industries – as clean energy will be used to charge ships in one of Europe’s biggest ports, helping to cut emissions, create skilled jobs and boost local investment.”
Port-Centric Clean Energy Infrastructure: A Model for Global Shipping
For the bunkering and marine fuel sectors, the implications are profound. Cold ironing—once considered an expensive compliance burden—is being reframed as a clean energy service, enabled by grid-connected, large-scale storage. This transition opens new operational models for port authorities, terminal operators, and vessel owners alike.
NatPower Marine, the company’s maritime division, is concurrently developing a global network of shore power and electric bunkering solutions, backed by their parent group’s extensive renewable pipeline.
“The maritime sector is entering a decisive phase,” Sommadossi added. “With carbon regulations tightening and new fuels emerging, scalable shore power solutions like ours provide a cost-effective, immediate step toward compliance and sustainability.”
Mike Patrick, CEO of Sembcorp Energy UK, said: “We are pleased to support NatPower to bring one of the UK’s most advanced battery energy storage projects to Wilton International. With its robust grid infrastructure, Wilton International offers the ideal platform for scaling long-duration battery storage and supporting maritime electrification. This project further strengthens Wilton International’s role as a strategic site for low-carbon innovation, driving the UK’s journey towards a net-zero future.”
Economic Catalyst for Teesside and Beyond
The Teesside GigaPark is not just a technological milestone—it’s a regional economic catalyst. The project is expected to create over 200 jobs during construction, with long-term skilled roles in battery operations, clean energy maintenance, and maritime electrification.
To ensure inclusive growth, NatPower is collaborating with local colleges and universities to establish training programs, while also committing up to £2 million annually to a community benefit fund managed by the Evogea Foundation. These funds will support environmental projects, skills development, and local job creation.
An Attractive Energy Source for Clean Industry
With rising power demand from data centers, logistics hubs, and electrified transport fleets, the Teesside BESS could become an anchor point for energy-intensive clean industry. NatPower has confirmed ongoing discussions with industrial off-takers, potentially unlocking further investment into Teesside’s decarbonised economy.
About NatPower: Driving the Global Energy Transition
With over 30 GW of clean energy projects under development, NatPower is fast emerging as a key global player in the energy transition. Headquartered in the UK and operating in the US, Italy, Kazakhstan, and beyond, the company’s strategy is rooted in innovation, bankable infrastructure, and community-focused impact.
Founded by a team of experienced entrepreneurs with over 25 years of expertise in the global green industry, NatPower was created to meet the pressing challenges of the energy transition. Our strategy is built on three core pillars: innovation, partnerships, and community impact. We are committed to developing next-generation energy infrastructure that is not only profitable and bankable but also human-centered and environmentally responsible.
NatPower UK
With over 80 GWh of storage and renewables in the pipeline, NatPower UK leads the country’s clean energy infrastructure build-out. The Teesside GigaPark is its flagship project.
NatPower Marine
NatPower Marine, a dedicated division for the maritime sector, NatPower Marine is building the world’s largest, fully integrated, smart network of charging points for “cold ironing” and propulsion. By providing a fully financed, end-to-end Energy Transition-as-a-Service, we aim to accelerate the decarbonisation of global shipping..
NatPower H
NatPower’s representing a breakthrough in green hydrogen, NatPower H is developing infrastructure for the production, storage, and refueling of green hydrogen, particularly for the decarbonisation of maritime and heavy-duty transport.
Source NatPower UK