RWE has decided to build its largest-ever battery energy storage project in the United Kingdom, marking a major milestone in Wales’ clean energy transition. The Pembroke Battery Storage facility, located next to RWE’s Pembroke Power Station, represents an investment of around £200 million and will play a central role in the Pembroke Net Zero Centre decarbonisation hub in South Wales.
The project features a two-hour storage system with 350 MW of peak output and 700 MWh of total storage capacity. Planning consent is secured, the project has won capacity in the UK Capacity Market auction, and construction will begin in the first half of 2026. Commissioning is expected in the second half of 2028, pending an updated grid connection.
Major Step Toward Grid Stability and Net Zero Goals
The project was announced by the First Minister for Wales, Eluned Morgan, during the Wales Investment Summit, highlighting Wales’ strategic importance in driving the UK’s renewable energy goals. The facility will be built on a 5.1 hectare site and will consist of 212 lithium-ion battery containers. When fully operational, the installation will be capable of delivering 350 MW of power for two hours—equivalent to 700 MWh of stored energy and sufficient to power nearly 300,000 typical UK homes for two hours.
Nikolaus Valerius, CEO of RWE Generation SE, emphasized the growing importance of mature storage technologies in an energy system increasingly dominated by variable renewables. He noted that the Pembroke Battery Storage project will support the national grid by storing surplus renewable energy and releasing it when demand is high.
Welsh Government Support for Clean Energy Investment
First Minister Eluned Morgan welcomed the project, stating that the investment underscores Wales’ leadership in the development of renewable technologies. She highlighted the opportunity for new jobs and long-term economic benefits to communities across South Wales.
Tom Glover, RWE UK Country Chair, added that Wales holds strong potential to lead the UK’s clean energy transition across wind, solar, storage, hydro, and emerging technologies. He underscored ongoing support from the Welsh Government in accelerating high-impact energy infrastructure.
Commitment to Biodiversity and Local Ecosystems
RWE plans to integrate biodiversity measures into the project, ensuring that the new facility coexists with the surrounding natural environment. Planned initiatives include meadow planting, native woodland and scrub restoration, and the creation of a new pond to enhance wildlife habitats around the site.
Strengthening the UK’s Clean Power System
Battery storage systems like the new Pembroke project will be crucial to the UK’s progress toward a clean, reliable, and flexible energy system. By responding instantly to fluctuations in renewable output and energy demand, large-scale storage enhances grid stability and supports the wider adoption of renewable energy.
RWE is already the leading renewable energy generator in Wales, with more than 3 GW of capacity across 12 sites. Around 1 GW of this is from renewable sources, accounting for roughly one-quarter of Wales’ renewable energy output. The company employs around 300 people in Wales and has invested more than £21 million in local communities through wind farm benefit funds.
RWE’s Growing Global Storage Portfolio
RWE operates 1.2 GW of battery storage capacity, with an additional 2.7 GW under construction. As part of its long-term growth strategy, RWE aims to significantly expand its global battery storage footprint to support the accelerating energy transition.