E-Storage Delivers Battery Storage Solutions: Canadian Solar Subsidiary E-Storage Secures Large-Scale Battery Projects in the UK
Kitchener (Canada) - As renewable energy deployment accelerates, the European energy storage market is also gaining momentum. In this context, Canadian Solar, through its energy storage division E-Storage, has been awarded a contract to supply battery energy storage systems with a total capacity of 420 MWh to the UK-based Drax Group.
Both projects were developed by infrastructure company Apatura. Drax has since acquired the projects and will integrate them into its FlexGen portfolio. Construction is scheduled to begin at Marfleet in Q3 2026 and at Neilston in early 2027.
E-Storage will deliver turnkey systems, including its proprietary SolBank 3.0 batteries, and will also provide operations and maintenance under a long-term service agreement. The goal is to ensure high availability throughout the assets’ lifecycle. The systems are expected to increase grid flexibility and support the integration of additional renewable energy generation.
Drax views the projects as a strategic move: “This is our first investment in short-duration storage, and these assets will complement our existing generation portfolio. As the UK network increases its reliance on intermittent renewables, these batteries will provide secure power and help keep the lights on when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining,” said Lee Dawes, COO of Drax Group.
Apatura also emphasized the importance of the projects: “Marfleet and Neilston represent important milestones in building the flexible, resilient energy infrastructure the UK needs to meet its decarbonization ambitions,” said Giles Hanglin, CEO of Apatura.
For Canadian Solar, the projects underscore the growing importance of the European storage market. The combination of project development, technology, and operations is increasingly seen as critical to accelerating the integration of renewable energy into power systems.
The Canadian Solar stock included in the renewable energy index RENIXX World fell 42 percent in Q1 2026 to €11.94 (closing price, 31 March 2026, Stuttgart Stock Exchange), placing it last in the RENIXX ranking.
Source: IWR Online, 09 Apr 2026
