BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
THE SMART ENERGY MOVE
Transforming legacy infrastructure: why decommissioning diesel assets for battery storage is Britain’s smart energy move. By Jonathan Massie, senior project manager at Pulse Clean Energy
A
s Britain races toward its Clean Power 2030 commitments, we face a significant question:
what do we do with the fossil fuel infrastructure that powered yesterday’s grid? The answer will shape how quickly and affordably
we decarbonise. Simply abandoning or dismantling these sites leaves stranded assets and wasted potential. Continuing to run them on diesel is incompatible with our climate targets. But there is a third way: reuse the very
infrastructure once tied to fossil fuels to accelerate the clean energy transition.
GRID STABILISATION IN ACTION Grid stabilisation in an increasingly renewable- powered system. As wind and solar generation grows, we need flexible resources that can respond instantly to supply and demand fluctuations. Battery storage (BESS) excels at this role, providing the services that intermittent renewables cannot deliver alone. These facilities store clean energy that would
otherwise be wasted during periods of excess renewable generation, then release it precisely when needed. Legacy infrastructure can, and is, already proving itself as a pathway to a cleaner, more resilient, and affordable energy system. At Pulse Clean Energy, we’re proving that
yesterday’s diesel generation sites can become tomorrow’s clean energy infrastructure through strategic repurposing into BESS.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE ADVANTAGE Currently, Pulse is decommissioning nine diesel power generation sites across the UK – from Scotland to Plymouth and Dowlais in Wales – and converting them into BESS facilities. Five sites have already completed the process, with four more currently undergoing decommissioning as part of our recent £220 million green refinancing.
www.essmag.co.uk
This approach makes commercial sense. Why
build from scratch when the infrastructure and land already exist? These diesel sites weren’t chosen randomly decades ago. They occupy prime real estate with existing connections, established electrical infrastructure, and strategic geographic positioning. We’re leveraging these inherent advantages.
The existing transformers, cabling systems, and grid connection points provide a foundation that reduces deployment time and cost. We also prioritise and offer the equipment such as transformers and client buildings to third parties for reuse on their own projects, avoiding the need for new materials to be ordered. The decommissioning process itself creates
immediate environmental benefits. By removing gensets, transformers, and associated infrastructure,
we can begin to eliminate the CO2 impact of these fossil fuel assets.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS This conversion is already creating tangible economic opportunities for local communities. Our decommissioning and conversion projects engage local contractors spanning electrical, civil, lifting, and testing services. Rather than importing entirely new supply chains, we’re building on existing regional expertise, whilst creating new specialisations in clean energy infrastructure. From a financial perspective, repurposing gives
these assets a new economic role, as opposed to just sitting idle. According to the International Energy Agency, energy from oil and gas is expected to decline globally by 2050, whilst renewable energy and storage are set for substantial growth. Across the UK, hundreds of similar diesel
generation sites face an uncertain future. Instead of these sites going to waste, a coordinated approach to conversion could unlock gigawatts of storage
capacity using existing infrastructure.
THE SCALE OF THE CHALLENGE NESO forecasts that the UK will need at least 50GW of energy storage power capacity and just under 200GWh of capacity by 2050. Battery storage will provide a significant portion of this flexibility, yet we’re starting from a relatively modest base. Currently, the UK has more than 6.8GW/10.5GWh of operational battery storage, with 79% in England, 16% in Scotland, 3% in Northern Ireland, and 2% in Wales. The momentum is building – 2025 has already
seen approximately 1,405MW of new battery storage capacity commissioned, surpassing 2024’s total of 1,249MW. However, we need to accelerate deployment to meet our 2050 targets. Repurposing existing infrastructure offers an additional, accessible pathway.
THE PATH FORWARD The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy doesn't require abandoning decades of infrastructure investment. Our diesel asset-to- battery asset conversions show that existing tech can serve new purposes with the right approach. As we continue expanding, we’re showing how to make the most of what already exists. With Clean Power 2030 just five years away and
a 40GW storage gap to fill, we need to maximise every opportunity. The diesel conversion model proves that smart repurposing can accelerate deployment whilst also reducing costs. As Britain races toward its clean energy goals,
we should embrace all viable pathways, make the most of existing infrastructure, and build the new capacity our energy system so desperately needs.
Pulse Clean Energy
https://pulsecleanenergy.com
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Autumn 2025 29
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