Varco Energy and GE Vernova to develop 138MWh Liverpool battery

UK-based battery storage asset owner and operator Varco Energy and GE Vernova’s Solar & Storage Solutions business have formed a partnership for the development of a 57MW/138MWh transmission connected battery energy storage system (BESS) south of Liverpool.

The project, named Native River, could power the equivalent of 37,000 homes in the UK with clean, green power, “situated within an historically congested part of the UK electricity grid”, a Varco Energy statement said.

GE Vernova will supply the complete BESS for the project. It will be comprised of modular units of GE Vernova’s ‘FLEXInverter’, ‘FLEXReservoir’ and ‘FlexIQ’ systems. Additionally, the company has also entered a long-term service agreement. Construction commenced in Q3 2023 with connection to the grid expected in early 2024. 

James Mills, director at Varco Energy, said: “BESS are critical infrastructure to help balance the intermittent nature of renewable energy generation and break the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels. We are therefore delighted to be partnering with GE on one of our first projects, the 57MW Native River project. At Varco we are committed to investing in assets that will accelerate renewable integration, sustain a resilient grid and drive consumer value in the UK. This project will be the first of many as Varco seeks to deliver on its ambitions.”

Prakash Chandra, president & CEO, GE Vernova’s Solar & Storage Solutions business said: “Our FLEX portfolio being deployed here provides flexible, reliable and intelligent solutions that help solve complex renewable integration and grid challenges while maximising value for customers. We hope to advance our common mission of providing dispatchable and reliable clean energy that will benefit thousands of people, while contributing to the transition to a clean energy future in the UK.”

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