Pulse Clean Energy energises 22 MW battery storage project in Wales

Pulse Clean Energy has successfully energised its 22 MW/49.5 MWh battery storage project at the Hirwaun Industrial Estate in Aberdare, Wales. 

The new battery facility aims to enhance grid stability by storing excess energy generated during periods of high renewable output and releasing it back to the grid when demand is high.

As the fifth of nine sites being converted from diesel generation to grid-scale battery storage, the project represents Pulse Clean Energy's ongoing strategy to repurpose legacy infrastructure for cleaner energy solutions. With a peak output of 21.76 MW, the facility can power over 48,000 homes for more than two hours, contributing to local energy security.

The battery's two-hour duration increases its capacity to balance energy supply, assisting the National Grid Electricity System Operator (NESO) in managing the grid more effectively.

The project was financed using Pulse Clean Energy’s £175 million credit facility with Santander, CIBC, Investec, and the National Wealth Fund, alongside equity from the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO). 

Trevor Wills, CEO of Pulse Clean Energy, commented, “The successful commissioning of our first two-hour battery project is a milestone for Pulse Clean Energy as we continue to advance our strategy to support the integration of renewable energy solutions into the UK’s grid. Battery storage is crucial to strengthening the resilience of the grid and enabling growth in renewable generation.

“The environmental impact of this project is far-reaching and will deliver significant benefits to the local communities in Aberdare and its surrounding areas, strengthening energy security, and establishing a cleaner, more sustainable future for Wales.”