UK public transport operator First Bus has unveiled a new battery energy storage system (BESS) rated at 1 MW/2 MWh at its Hoeford bus depot in Hampshire. The unit, capable of two hours of energy release, is set to begin operations next month.
The system will serve dual purposes: charging First Bus’s growing fleet of 1,200 electric buses and supporting the UK’s national grid by storing surplus electricity and feeding it back during peak demand periods, effectively boosting grid resilience.
Later in 2025, the company plans to commission a larger BESS—a 2 MW/4 MWh unit—at its Aberdeen depot, with additional storage sites possibly rolling out across the UK in the future.
In a move to extend the lifecycle of EV batteries, First Bus will repurpose end-of-life bus batteries for energy storage at the Hoeford site, giving them a “second life” beyond their original use.
Meanwhile, FirstGroup Energy, the energy-focused subsidiary of First Bus’s parent company, has invested in Palmer Energy Technology (PETL)—a battery storage specialist founded by former Aston Martin CEO and Nissan COO Dr. Andy Palmer. This investment is supported by Barclays and Oxford University and is intended to drive development of cutting-edge control systems for BESS deployment.
The initiative underscores First Bus’s wider strategy: integrating large-scale electrification with sustainable energy solutions, reinforcing its leadership in the UK’s transition toward cleaner public transportation and enhanced energy security.
