Financing the UK’s largest standalone battery storage facility

SMBC played a pivotal role in financing the Thorpe Marsh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a landmark project set to become the largest standalone battery storage facility in the UK - and one of the largest in Europe. A total of £700 million in funding was secured through a blend of equity and debt, with SMBC among a select group of international lenders contributing £594 million in project financing.  

The project was sponsored by EIG, a global SMBC client, and the UK’s National Wealth Fund (NWF). This milestone transaction deepens our long-standing partnership with EIG, a global client expanding its international energy transition platform. It also positions SMBC for future opportunities in Fidra Energy’s development pipeline, including the upcoming West Burton BESS project.  

With the UK government holding a 45% indirect stake in the project’s special purpose vehicle (SPV), this deal underscores our ability to align with national infrastructure priorities while reinforcing our growing presence in the battery storage sector - a critical enabler of grid stability and renewable integration.  

SMBC’s support for Thorpe Marsh reflects our capacity to deliver complex, high-impact financing solutions that align client objectives with government goals and the broader transition to a low-carbon economy. This project is a testament to our commitment to enabling sustainable infrastructure and driving innovation in energy finance.