EDF acquires UK EV battery storage firm

EDF Group has acquired UK firm Pivot Power, who specialises in electric vehicle EV battery storage and infrastructure.

Pivot Power has a portfolio of projects at over 40 locations throughout the country and is currently developing their first storage projects in Kent and Oxford.

These both have land, planning and grid connection agreements in place and are expected to be commissioned in 2020.

Pivot Power is also developing a private wire infrastructure to enable, among other opportunities, the development of mass rapid charging points across the UK.

According to the company, each of its projects has the potential to host a battery capable of exporting 50 MW of power and to provide support for hundreds of rapid EV chargers, potentially suitable for large retail sites, logistics centres, bus depots and park and rides.

EDF says the acquisition will help them towards its target of being the battery leader in Europe with 10 GW of additional storage by 2035.

The acquisition is also in line with the ‘EDF Electric Mobility Plan’ to become the leading electric mobility company by 2022 in the UK, France, Italy and Belgium.

Matt Allen (left), co-founder and CEO of Pivot Power with Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables UK

After 2022, EDF says they want to provide power for 600,000 electric vehicles and run 75,000 charging points across Europe.

Bruno Bensasson, chairman & CEO of EDF Renewables, said: ‘Following PowerFlex Systems recent acquisition in the United States, this new acquisition of smart electricity storage and electric vehicle charging systems player is strengthening our expertise globally.

‘Thanks to the skills developed within this specific field of electricity, the Pivot Power team will be a great addition to EDF. This is another positive step in the rollout of the Group’s Electricity Storage and Mobility Plans.’

Matt Allen, co-founder and CEO of Pivot Power, said: ‘Pivot Power’s purpose from the start has always been to accelerate the UK’s transition to a cost-effective, reliable, low-carbon energy system and in parallel fast-track the rapid adoption of clean transport. EDF Renewables shares our vision and of course brings the expertise, resources and platform to make this a reality.’

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