Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, one of the fastest-growing renewable energy companies in the world, will make its presence felt in the UK and European markets in a major way after announcing that it has acquired Arlington Energy, a UK-based battery energy storage system (BESS) developer.
Masdar’s acquisition will enable the development, construction, operational management, and financing of BESS projects under the Masdar-Arlington platform. The financial terms of the acquisition was not disclosed.
A recent industry report stated that Europe could need as much as 200 gigawatts of storage capacity by 2030 if it is to meet its renewable energy targets. The UK alone, according to National Grid, may need as much as 50GW of storage capacity by 2050 to achieve its target of net-zero carbon emissions.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “Masdar and Arlington Energy share a long-standing belief that greater investment in energy storage is critical if countries are to expand their renewable energy portfolios and achieve their net-zero ambitions.
“By working together, we will be able to provide a more resilient and flexible energy resource, helping to accelerate the UK and other European countries’ clean energy transitions and supporting our efforts in expanding our offshore wind and broader renewables portfolio.”
Matthew Clare, Co-founder and Director of Arlington Energy, added: “Partnering with Masdar allows us to accelerate our BESS rollout in the UK and will make us the leading platform for energy storage. With Arlington’s experience in the procurement, construction and operational management of BESS, and Masdar’s global capabilities in renewable energy, combining forces is a natural progression.
“This partnership creates a business with huge potential, immediately capable of delivering at scale domestically, and in other markets in the future, as more nations join the UAE and UK in setting net-zero targets.”
BESS solutions provide flexible energy to the grid, helping to overcome renewables’ intermittency challenges. It allows energy to be released during peak demand, helping to ensure system security while keeping consumer costs down.
Masdar also intends to increase its investment in offshore wind and other renewable projects in new and existing markets, including in the UK. Masdar is already a leading investor in the UK’s offshore wind sector, with stakes in London Array, one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms; the Dudgeon offshore wind farm off the coast of Norfolk; and Hywind Scotland, the world’s first commercial-scale floating wind farm.
Masdar aims to reach 100GW total capacity by 2030, with ambitions to double that in the following years. In December 2021, the UAE government announced Abu Dhabi energy champions TAQA, ADNOC, and Mubadala are to join forces as shareholders in Masdar, creating a global clean energy powerhouse that will be a major force in renewables and green hydrogen.
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