Centrica Energy, Delta Capacity and Covenergo Sign A Battery Storage Deal In Finland
The title of this post, is the same as that of this news item from Centrica.
This is the sub-heading.
Centrica Energy, Delta Capacity and Covenergo have signed a partial tolling agreement for AKKU One, a 125 MW / 300 MWh standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) being developed in Lapinlahti, Finland.
These two paragraphs add some detail.
Under the partial tolling agreement, Centrica Energy will optimise and trade the asset across Nordic power markets, leveraging its 24/7 trading and multi-market optimisation capabilities to unlock value across wholesale, balancing and ancillary service markets. Through the partial tolling structure, the project benefits from secured revenues while maintaining merchant upside.
Commissioning is planned for Q4 2027, and once operational, AKKU One will provide critical flexibility to Finland’s power system, supporting frequency regulation, balancing requirements and the continued integration of renewable generation.
In Centrica And Return Partner To Scale Battery Flexibility In Germany, I asked if Centrica were good at optimising grid batteries.
As they seem to be doing business in this area, I have to assume that they are oone of the best, at optimising batteries.
Centrica And Return Partner To Scale Battery Flexibility In Germany
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Centrica.
This is the sub-heading.
Centrica Energy and Return have signed long-term Virtual Tolling agreement for 100 MW / 400 MWh of battery storage flexibility in Germany. The contracted capacity is not tied to one dedicated battery project. Instead, it is provided through Return’s Virtual Flexibility Portfolio (VFP), bringing together capacity from Return-owned battery storage assets across Germany
These two paragraphs add more details.
The structure gives Centrica access to Return’s virtual flexibility portfolio, creating greater diversification and resilience, while the underlying capacity remains backed by physical battery energy storage systems (BESS). Rather than relying on one dedicated asset, capacity can be provided from across Return’s broader German battery portfolio.
The deal marks a new partnership between the two companies and brings together complementary strengths: Return provides the physical battery assets and operational expertise, while optimisation will rely on Centrica Energy’s established multi-market optimisation service, with participation across Wholesale Markets and Ancillary Services in Germany to commercialise the flexibility in the market.
It should be noted that this is the third major battery project, where Centrica are optimising a battery in Europe. The others were in Sweden and Finland.
I suspect that Centrica do a good job, when they are asked.
Are Centrica Good At Optimising Grid Batteries?
I asked Google AI this question and received this reply.
Yes, Centrica is considered a strong and established player in grid battery (BESS) optimisation.
Centrica Energy leverages over 15 years of flexible asset trading experience and has actively optimised battery energy storage systems since 2018. They currently manage over 950 MW of grid-scale batteries on contract across the UK and Europe.
Key Strengths in Optimisation
Portfolio Diversification: Unlike smaller or newer software-only optimisers, Centrica balances battery risk alongside a diverse portfolio of renewables, thermal plants, and gas peakers.
Large balance sheets allow them to offer robust financial backing and revenue security (such as multi-year fixed-payment structures) to asset developers.
Verified Performance: Their Centrica Energy BESS Optimisation results—such as strong gross value capture in markets like Belgium—have undergone independent agreed-upon procedures by Deloitte.
Advanced Forecasting: They use proprietary algorithms, meteorology data, and machine learning models to trade dynamically across wholesale, balancing, and ancillary service markets.
They seem to have got all the issues comprehensively covered.
Centrica Energy And Zelestra Sign Battery Storage Tolling Agreement
The title of of this post, is the same as that as this press release from Centrica.
This is the sub-heading.
Centrica Energy and Zelestra have signed a physical tolling agreement for 99 MW / 297 MWh of battery storage capacity at Zelestra’s Hilgermissen BESS project, located in Lower Saxony, Germany.
These three paragraphs add some more details.
Under the agreement, Zelestra will develop, construct and own the battery storage project, building on their experience in delivering major projects in other markets and their extensive pipeline across Europe. Engineering and procurement activities will be completed this year leading to start of construction in 2027 and operations in 2028.
Under the tolling agreement, the battery will be optimised through Centrica Energy’s multi-market trading and optimisation services, enabling participation across Day-Ahead, Intraday and Ancillary Services in Germany.
Lower Saxony has a strong industrial base, from the automotive industry to agriculture and food production, as well as being a strong wind power and biomass energy producer. With a growing need for flexible capacity to support the stability and resilience of the power system, the BESS project will help accelerate renewable integration, strengthen grid flexibility and support Germany’s wider decarbonisation objectives.
In some ways, I find this press release a bit surprising.
Surely, a nation like Germany has the mathematicians, who are capable of doing this optimisation of a Battery Energy Storage System or BESS.
In New Optimisation Agreement For 70 MW / 160 MWh BESS In Sweden, I wrote about Centrica doing the same thing for the Swedes.
It strikes me, that somewhere in Centrica are one or more very bright mathematicians.
They have a web page, where they describe what they can do for your BESS.
I also believe, that underlying the management of the UK’s gas and the Grain LNG Terminal, which I talk about in Andy Burnham Set For Clash With MPs Over North Sea Oil And Gas, there is some very clever mathematics.
New Optimisation Agreement For 70 MW / 160 MWh BESS In Sweden
The title of this post is the same as that of this press release from Centrica.
This is the sub-heading.
Centrica Energy, the energy trading and optimisation arm of Centrica plc, has signed an optimisation agreement with Ånge Storage Solutions AB, a project company jointly established by Delta Capacity, a Swiss-based developer of utility-scale battery storage systems, and Wood & Co., a leading European investment bank and asset manager, for a 70 MW / 160 MWh battery project in Ånge, Sweden, scheduled to be commissioned in Q2 2026.
These three paragraphs add more detail.
Once operational, the Ånge project will be the largest BESS currently in operation in the Nordics, underlining the strong partnership between the companies and the project’s clear strategic significance and market impact. The project represents a major step forward for grid flexibility in Sweden, supporting the country’s rapidly growing renewable energy capacity while strengthening system stability in the SE2 bidding zone.
Under the agreement, Centrica Energy will act as optimiser for the project, providing 24/7 in-house trading and optimisation services. Leveraging advanced forecasting, real-time market benchmarking and AI-enhanced trading algorithms, Centrica Energy will optimise the battery across wholesale electricity markets and ancillary services, dynamically capturing value across multiple revenue streams.
The agreement on the Ånge project kicks off the partnership between Centrica Energy and Delta Capacity, underlining the companies’ shared ambition to accelerate flexible energy solutions across the Nordics.
It seems that Centrica are doing some serious programming, which mirrors the offbeat engineering, that was hinted at in Centrica Tackles Difficult Terrain To Deliver Sustainable Solar Solution For Derbyshire Manufacturer.
You can’t do anything but like Centrica’s robust attitude and their determination to get things done.
I also wonder, if Centrica are putting their expertise and technical excellence alongside the money and risk of others!
You can argue it was like that with Artemis in the last thirty years of the last century. One quarter million pound computer and software package would be planning and controlling the building of a multi-billion pound project.
I feel now, that I can say that now the Channel Tunnel is part of my history.
From the words of the press release, they seem to have developed a very-sophisticated hybrid-battery-control system, where types with expertise-honed on the trading floor or even the battlefield, could be intimately involved in the decisions.
As a check on my use of battlefield, I asked Google AI”if ex military weapons officers good operators on a city trading floor?” and received this reply.
Ex-military weapons officers—and military officers more broadly—can make excellent operators on a city trading floor, as their skill sets in leadership, pressure management, and risk assessment are highly transferable and increasingly sought after by financial institutions.
Key Reasons Military Officers Succeed as Traders
Decision-Making Under Extreme Pressure: Operational officers are accustomed to making critical, split-second decisions with limited information, which mirrors the environment of a volatile trading floor.
Risk Management & Discipline: The military teaches meticulous planning, risk mitigation, and strict adherence to procedures. In trading, this translates into managing margin, controlling losses, and following a strict, repeatable trading strategy.
High Mental Stamina and Resilience: The ability to stay calm and focused when others are losing their composure is a key trait that veterans bring, helping them survive high-stress trading scenarios.
Adaptability: The ability to respond to changing circumstances on the battlefield translates into managing portfolios in rapidly shifting market conditions.
Transferable Skills Checklist
Strategy & Logistics: Background in understanding supply chain imbalances (supply/demand).Communication: Ability to convey orders clearly and concisely.
Integrity: High level of discipline and accountability.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
While they possess strong psychological skills for trading, ex-military personnel often face a steep learning curve regarding technical financial knowledge and specific market terminology. Furthermore, the transition from a highly structured hierarchy to a meritocracy—where the only measure of success is profit/loss—requires a change in mindset.
Industry Adoption
Banks and trading firms in both the UK and US have recognized the value of these skills, with firms like Citibank and various prop firms establishing veteran-focused programs to hire and train former military personnel.
Conclusion
If ex-military weapons officers can adapt their ability to assess risks and manage operations to financial data, their natural inclination to stay calm under pressure and operate with discipline makes them top candidates for trading roles.
