GB
SmartestEnergy and Eku Energy Partner on Landmark Tolling Agreement with Ocker Hill Battery Energy Storage System Deal
SmartestEnergy will serve as the long-term tolling provider for Eku Energy’s 99MW/198MWh Battery Energy Storage System in the West Midlands, regenerating the historic Ocker Hill coal-fired power station, which first operated in 1903.
LONDON, 13 May 2025 – SmartestEnergy, a leading global provider of renewable energy solutions for businesses, is today announcing it will serve as the tolling provider for a new project with Eku Energy, a leading global energy storage specialist. The tolling agreement is under a 10-year agreement, marking the longest announced agreement to date for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in the United Kingdom.
Powering the future with battery storage
The Ocker Hill project demonstrates SmartestEnergy’s commitment to BESS which are crucial for greater grid reliability. The project will deliver stable and reliable power, helping to manage grid volatility and advancing the UK’s transition to a net zero energy system.
Eku Energy has secured over £40 million in debt financing from NatWest Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to construct the 99MW/198MWh BESS at Ocker Hill, located between Dudley and Wednesbury in the West Midlands. The project is being built near the site of the former Ocker Hill coal-fired power station, which began operating in 1903, playing a key role in the region’s energy history for over 80 years until its closure in 1977 and demolition in 1985.
The Ocker Hill BESS project is expected to be commissioned in late 2026 and will use 54 Tesla Megapacks.
We are pleased to be partnering with Eku Energy on the Ocker Hill BESS project. This is the longest tolling agreement announced to date in the UK and truly demonstrates our commitment to Eku and the BESS business case they built. BESS is crucial for greater grid reliability and it provides value for end customers. At SmartestEnergy we are always willing to support our customers and partners as they navigate their way towards a cleaner, more resilient future.
Battery Storage "Essential" for Fully Renewable Grid
Raval added, “Battery storage is essential to achieving a fully renewable grid. This agreement not only complements our business, but underscores our commitment to leading the net zero transition. By entering this agreement with Eku, SmartestEnergy reaffirms its commitment to delivering innovative solutions that equip businesses with the capabilities they need throughout their energy transition journey.”
40 years after the demolition of the original coal-fired power station at Ocker Hill, the nearby Ocker Hill BESS will be providing energy and grid services. With Ocker Hill BESS and its innovative long-term offtake from Smartest Energy, we further enable the energy transition and uptake of renewable energy.
This follows SmartestEnergy’s announcement of its first large scale BESS tolling agreement, with Equis in New South Wales, Australia. The 100MW/200MWh Tesla Megapack battery will enable SmartestEnergy to charge and discharge into the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM), enhancing grid reliability, helping to accelerate the country’s transition to clean power.
Established 25 years ago in the UK, SmartestEnergy has a track record of pioneering new approaches to supporting businesses' transition to clean energy. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Marubeni, a Japanese corporation listed on the Fortune Global 500, SmartestEnergy is backed by strong global expertise and resources. Today’s announcement reinforces the organisation's commitment to growth, strengthens its ambition to lead in sustainable energy solutions, and reaffirms its dedication to guiding businesses through their energy transition journeys.
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