Saft launches solid-state battery lines as UK storage investments accelerate

TotalEnergies affiliate Saft has announced the inauguration of new production lines in France, positioning the company as the first French manufacturer with the capacity to develop and produce solid-state batteries using both sulfide and polymer electrolytes at room temperature. The move represents a significant industrial milestone for the firm, which aims to replace traditional liquid electrolytes with solid materials to enhance safety and increase energy density by up to 50 per cent compared with classic lithium-ion batteries. Saft chief executive Cedric Duclos stated that the new lines mark a critical step in converting years of research into real industrial capacity, underscoring the ambition to establish France and Europe as leading players in this strategic technology. The company is also targeting the aviation and space sectors, where improvements in safety, performance and energy density are particularly valuable. In the aviation sector, Saft has already delivered semi-solid state cells for the evaluation of future electric and hybrid aircraft architectures.

In parallel, infrastructure and private capital investment manager Foresight has completed the acquisition of a 100 per cent interest in Nivala, a battery energy storage system project from Fotowatio Renewable Ventures. Located in the North Ostrobothnia region of Finland, Nivala is the country’s largest BESS project with a capacity of 100MW and 400MWh. The asset is considered ready-to-build and is designed to participate in Finland’s wholesale markets, supporting the integration of renewable generation and the decarbonisation of the national power system. Foresight expects the project to commence commercial operations in the second half of 2028. This acquisition marks the second investment decision by Foresight in Finland, following the purchase of an 88MW site in Puskkorpi in 2021. Richard Thompson, Partner and Co-Manager of FEIP and FEIP II at Foresight Group, noted that the energy transition is increasingly focused on maintaining system security, reliability and resilience as electricity demand grows and economies become more electrified. Finland has emerged as a key market for such investments due to rapid renewable energy growth and its role as a hub for Europe’s data centre buildout, following a recent announcement from Google to invest 13 billion euros in data centres across the country.

Econergy has connected its 40MW and 120MWh Dalmarnock BESS project in Glasgow to the grid, marking its second connected battery storage asset in the United Kingdom after the 50MW and 100MWh Swangate project connected in 2024. Full commercial operation is expected by December this year, providing flexibility to the regional electricity system by storing and dispatching power in response to market conditions. The project is supported by a financing agreement with Santander for approximately 21 million pounds. Econergy has also entered into a 10-year floor agreement with EDF, which provides a minimum annual revenue alongside an additional revenue-sharing mechanism. Joshua Murphy, director of energy storage at Econergy, explained that the system is designed to absorb surplus renewable generation and discharge during peak demand, with the agreement with EDF optimising the asset while preserving exposure to upside through revenue sharing. Four further UK projects are currently under construction in Econergy’s portfolio, including the 80MW and 240MWh Immingham scheme, which is financed on a similar structure with grid connection expected in 2027.

Statera Energy has secured a significant minority stake from Ares in its operational portfolio, which comprises approximately 1.9GW of storage and flexible generation assets across the UK. This transaction marks the first investment made by Ares Infrastructure Equity in Europe. The portfolio includes the 680MW Carrington Storage project in Greater Manchester and the 750MW Thurrock Flexible Generation project in Essex. Statera will continue to own, operate and manage the assets, while Ares joins as a long-term investment partner. The company plans to continue advancing its 16GW development pipeline to help deliver the flexible infrastructure needed to balance an increasingly renewables-led electricity system. Statera chief executive Tom Vernon described the investment as an endorsement of the company’s assets and capability, noting that the capital supports the plan to deliver 7GW of flexible capacity by 2030.