A major milestone has been achieved at Ampeak Energy Limited (LON:AMP) Uskmouth Sustainable Energy Park, one of the UK’s largest battery storage sites, with the successful completion of the delivery of all of the batteries and key components for the Afon Wysg 1 (AW1) project. The AW1 project is on track to be energised later this month and to enter full commercial operation in Q1 2027.
Ampeak’s flagship AW1 battery storage scheme is a 240MWh capacity project. Project development is well progressed to expand to 480MWh with the objective to reach financial close for the proposed expansion shortly after the 240MWh project enters full commercial operation.
The 55 batteries for AW1 were supplied and delivered by e-STORAGE, part of Canadian Solar, which will also be responsible for commissioning. Principal contractor Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK (Jones Bros) has installed the batteries, together with the 36 inverters, 18 twin skids, and the main grid transformer.
The key components were delivered over 22 days, with the 10-strong Jones Bros delivery team, including a higher degree apprentice, carefully coordinating transport schedules and supplier deliveries with e-STORAGE.
The milestone followed completion of the concrete foundations for the battery and power conversion system units, associated ducting work, and the installation of precast troughs for the inverters. Space has been strategically left between the batteries and foundations have already been poured to enable rapid implementation of the future expansion project.
Bulk aggregates have been imported via rail to ensure that HGV movements were kept to a minimum, while concrete from previous demolition work has been crushed and repurposed.
Construction of a new on-site substation has also been completed and high-voltage cabling for connection to the national grid infrastructure installed. Around two thirds of the existing power station export cable was reused, reducing both time and cost.
As part of the ecological enhancement plan, an attenuation pond has been created, with new fencing installed and landscaping carried out to improve biodiversity.
Ampeak’s CEO Designate, David Taaffe, said: “Our flagship project is a proof point in delivery. The team’s success marks an important milestone for the project and brings us another step closer to delivering a significant piece of energy infrastructure for the region.
“This has been a complex operation, requiring careful planning and close coordination between Ampeak Energy, Jones Bros, e-STORAGE, and our wider supply chain. The progress achieved on site is testament to the commitment and expertise of everyone involved.
“We’re thrilled to see the project continuing its excellent progress and look forward to reaching our next major milestone, which will be the first energisation of the batteries from the grid later this month, which will be followed by the charge and discharge commissioning, all ensuring that we reach our target for energisation this month and full commercial operation in Q1 2027.
“We will then move to rapidly financially close the expansion to 480MWh which can be implemented with minimal disruption to the 240MWh operating asset.”
Jones Bros Project Manager Gareth White, who lives close to the site, said: “Hitting key milestones on developments as significant as this one is a wonderful moment.
“Getting to this stage is a result of meticulous planning, coordination, and collaboration across the entire team.
“Everyone involved deserves huge credit for the level of organisation, especially when factoring in the need to install the components in sequence, while managing equipment weighing close to 3,000 tonnes in total.
“It has also been fantastic to recruit locally, with our foreman and five operatives based close to Uskmouth.”
Matt Paterson, Managing Director, EMEA, e-STORAGE, said: “Getting the equipment onto site in sequence was the first test. Energisation and commissioning is the next, when the batteries and power conversion systems have to perform together as one system on the grid.
“With the foundations for the planned expansion already poured, AW1 is set up to grow without repeating the groundwork. We look forward to working with Ampeak and Jones Bros through those next steps.”
