Varco Energy, a UK-based battery storage owner and operator, has commenced full commercial operations at its Native River BESS — a 57 MW/138 MWh transmission-connected battery energy storage system located in the Mersey Ring, south of Liverpool.

This marks Varco Energy’s first operational asset, positioned in a constrained section of the national grid where it will provide crucial grid-balancing services. These include frequency and voltage regulation, as well as reserve capacity — all vital to maintaining stability as the UK integrates more renewable energy.

The Native River BESS stands out as one of the longest-duration, transmission-connected storage systems in the region. It utilizes advanced lithium-ion battery technology to deliver 57 MW of power with 138 MWh of total energy, helping to smooth out energy supply fluctuations and support the UK’s energy transition.

“This milestone represents a significant step forward in Varco's expanding portfolio of BESS assets,” said Richard Whitmore, Director at Varco Energy. “We’re deeply grateful to our team and delivery partners — GE Vernova, Ethical Power, Cobalt, and Arenko — for making this project a success.”

Varco Energy plans to energize an additional 250 MW of storage capacity across the UK within the next 18 months and has a further 275 MW in development.

Source: renewableenergymagazine.com