Frontier and Ethos Partner on 5GW UK Data Centre Plan
Frontier Power Limited and Ethos Green Energy Limited have entered into a Joint Development Agreement to construct data centre facilities with approximately 5GW of capacity across the UK.
The agreement, announced this week, encompasses a multifaceted approach to energy infrastructure development that includes long-duration energy storage and solar projects to support data centre initiatives.
Ethos will utilise its connection points and land options to enable Frontier’s development of integrated energy projects. With access to grid connection offers exceeding 10GW, the partnership plans to develop up to 20GWh of battery storage capacity alongside 5GW of solar energy generation.
Both organisations intend to create what they refer to as “energy hubs” that combine renewable generation, energy storage and large demand centres in a coordinated approach.
Prioritising long-duration storage for data centres
The partnership combines complementary expertise from both organisations. Frontier Power, established in 2009 and with £30 billion (US$39.92bn) in combined investment experience, brings experience in electricity interconnectors, offshore wind transmission and energy storage development.
Likewise, Ethos Green Energy, founded in 2021 by Simon Wragg, focuses on battery storage and renewable energy projects. The company reports it has 15GW of renewable assets under development through its Renewable Energy Hubs concept, developed in association with sister company Pando Renewables Ltd.
- Ethos will provide access to multiple connection points and land options to support Frontier’s development of energy projects
- Expected to enable a pipeline of up to 20 GWh of LDES battery storage projects
- The development of approx. 5GW of solar energy projects
- Enabling approx. 5GW of data centre facilities at selected sites
The initial phase of this agreement targets battery storage projects eligible for Ofgem's recently opened Window 1, Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) cap-and-floor scheme. This regulatory framework aims to provide revenue certainty for storage technologies that can balance renewable energy generation and maintain grid stability.
Projects will also employ multiple technology solutions including flow and zinc-based batteries, which offer extended duration storage capabilities beyond conventional lithium-ion systems.
By combining Ethos' pipeline of connection points with Frontier's project development expertise, the partnership seeks to establish a position in the UK LDES market with applications to the cap-and-floor scheme and alternative commercial pathways.
“This collaboration with Ethos represents a significant step forward in addressing the UK's energy transition challenges,” says Humza Malik, CEO of Frontier Power. “By combining our expertise with Ethos' we have an unparalleled portfolio of connection points and land options.
“Together with our supply chain partners, Invinity and Eos, we are poised to deliver utility scale transformative projects that will enhance energy security, reduce costs for consumers and support the UK's net-zero ambitions.”
Focusing on renewable strategy
Currently, the UK data centre market is facing challenges over grid capacity and power constraints, with key regions wrestling with a greater need for availability. A partnership like this hopes to address these issues by adopting a more integrated approach, particularly when it comes to developing energy infrastructure.
Already, the UK government is planning to overhaul its infrastructure, with big plans to push construction projects ahead to become a leader in AI.
Analysts understand that securing these land and grid connections could give the UK the competitive edge it is looking for.
Humza adds: “By leveraging Ethos’ extensive pipeline of connection points and Frontier’s expertise in project development and financing of major Cap & Floor projects, the collaboration aims to position itself as the UK's leading developer of LDES projects.”
Simon Wragg, CEO of Ethos Green Energy, says: “We saw a unique opportunity to drive transformational change in the energy sector, using our vision of Renewable Energy Hubs established by our sister company Pando Renewables.
“Partnering with Frontier allows us to turn the vision into reality. Together, we are committed to creating sustainable energy hubs that integrate generation, storage and demand centres.”
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