Recently, Spanish renewable energy developer Matrix Renewables announced that it has signed a full-cycle Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreement with Tesla to jointly advance a 500MW/1GWh (2-hour energy storage system) standalone energy storage project in Eccles, Scotland.
This marks Matrix’s first standalone energy storage project in the UK and one of its largest energy storage developments in Europe.
Full-Cycle Collaboration: Deep Synergy in System Integration
The project is strategically located in a key transmission corridor between Scotland and England, offering excellent grid access conditions. Once operational, it will provide critical flexibility and reserve capacity to the UK’s power grid, playing a vital role in peak shaving and system stability in an environment with a high penetration of renewable energy.
Unlike traditional equipment supply or single EPC subcontracting, this collaboration involves Tesla overseeing the entire process—from design and construction to commissioning—ensuring a closed-loop approach from concept to on-site delivery. This “full-cycle EPC” model promises greater consistency in project timelines, system integration, and operational standardization.
All planning approvals for the project have been secured, and construction can commence immediately.
Sergio Arbeláez, Managing Director for Europe and Latin America at Matrix Renewables, stated, “We are delivering infrastructure at the scale required for the UK’s energy transition, helping to build a clean, secure, and resilient power system. This project demonstrates our ability to execute complex, large-scale energy storage projects through strong partnerships and a long-term strategic vision.”
This also marks Matrix’s first energy infrastructure-level project in the UK market, signaling its formal entry into Europe’s core energy storage market.
From Demonstration to Systematization
In addition to the Eccles project, Matrix plans to further expand integrated solar-plus-storage and standalone energy storage developments in the UK, with an expected pipeline of approximately 3GW of additional capacity in the coming years.
Tesla’s Vice President of Energy, Mike Snyder, said, “We are excited to support Matrix Renewables in entering the UK market, combining Tesla’s extensive experience in this field with Matrix’s expertise and vision. We value this partnership greatly and look forward to jointly advancing this landmark project.”
Simultaneously, Matrix has signed a cooperation agreement with the local community council to implement long-term shared-benefit initiatives in areas such as employment, skills training, and public facility support. This aims to create a positive cycle between the construction of energy storage projects and regional development.
