Drax is developing a GW scale pipeline of BESS opportunities comprised of (1) physical assets and (2) the capabilities to optimise third-party assets with the provision of route to market, floor and tolling structures.
In October 2025, Drax signed an agreement with Apatura Limited to acquire three BESS projects, which when fully commissioned will provide capacity totalling 260MW. In January 2026 Drax announced the acquisition of Flexitricity, providing an optimisation platform for the development of the Group’s FlexGen1 assets, including BESS.
In Flexible Generation we’re progressing upgrades at Cruachan, and a commercial go-live date for the OCGTs. We’ll pursue growth in our portfolio through additional flexible and renewable power assets such as our recent BESS acquisition.
Q&A: A lack of grid flexibility threatens to short-circuit Britain’s energy transition
Ash Hein, FlexGen Business Development Director at Drax speaks to POLITICO about how new flexible storage can support reliability as the system shifts.
Drax's FlexGen & Energy Solutions include
Recent FlexGen announcements
Tolling agreement for 200MW (800MWh) of BESS
We’ve signed a tolling agreement with Zenobē Coalburn Limited, an independent Battery Energy Storage Systems developer.
Tolling agreement for 250MW (500MWh) of BESS
We’ve signed a tolling agreement with West Burton C Limited, a company owned by Fidra Energy, an independent Battery Energy Storage Systems developer.
Acquisition of asset optimisation platform
We’ve signed an agreement to acquire Flexitricity, a UK-based optimiser of flexible energy assets.
Acquisition of 260MW 2-hour BESS portfolio
We’ve signed an agreement with Apatura to acquire three BESS projects, which when fully commissioned will provide capacity totalling 260MW.
Notes
- Flexible Generation (FlexGen) is Flexible Generation & Energy Solutions.
