Thurrock Power has completed first engine firing, marking the start of a phased commissioning programme that is due to complete in the autumn.
Together with the colocated 300MW/600MWh Thurrock Storage system, the site will provide 750MW of flexible capacity, strengthening grid resilience for London, Essex and the southeast.
Once fully operational, the combined sites will support power needs equivalent to up to 2.4 million homes, helping secure the electricity system during periods of low renewable output.
Thurrock Power, Statera Energy’s 450MW flexible generation plant, has successfully completed first engine firing of its first unit, marking the transition from construction into commissioning. The site is expected to be fully operational by the autumn.
Once operational, the plant will be capable of providing reliable, dispatchable power for up to 1.5 million homes, helping maintain system reliability and strengthening energy security when renewable generation is unable to meet demand.
The flexible generation plant is colocated with Thurrock Storage, Statera’s 300MW/600MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), which was energised in August 2025. Together, the Thurrock sites provide 750MW of energy capacity and 600MWh of storage, with the two plants working in tandem to support the grid.
The BESS manages shortduration and daily balancing requirements, responding instantly to fluctuations in supply and demand, while the flexible generation plant will operate during extended periods of low renewable output. This coordinated approach ensures the electricity system has both rapid response capability and sustained backup capacity when it is most needed.
Combined, the facilities will be capable of supporting power needs equivalent to up to 2.4 million homes, significantly strengthening grid resilience for London, Essex and the southeast.
Thurrock Power and Thurrock Storage form the Thurrock Flexible Generation project, which has been backed by £395 million of debt financing from a syndicate of leading infrastructure lenders, alongside a long-term route-to-market agreement with Statkraft, underlining the strength and bankability of Statera’s flexible generation platform.
Tom Vernon, Founder and CEO of Statera Energy, said:
First engine firing is a defining milestone for Thurrock Power, marking the start of commissioning as the project moves towards commercial operation. Once fully commissioned, the Thurrock site will form a key part of our expanding grid balancing portfolio, helping reduce system costs while strengthening security of supply. I want to thank the Statera delivery team for their work in reaching this milestone, and all our partners who have helped bring the project to this point.
Thurrock Power has been designed with a clear pathway to transition from natural gas to hydrogen in the future, ensuring the site remains adaptable as the UK’s energy system continues to evolve.
Beyond its contribution to the energy system, the project is already delivering longterm local benefits. Apprentices specialising in operations and maintenance joined the site in September 2025, with further roles planned through 2026. Statera has also committed five hectares of land adjacent to the site for biodiversity enhancement, supporting local nature alongside nationally important infrastructure.
