TotalEnergies has announced the sale of 50% of its shares in West Burton Energy to EPUKI, the UK subsidiary of the Energy Power Holding (EPH).
West Burton Energy, which TotalEnergies fully acquired in June 2024, includes a 1.3-gigawatt (GW) gas-fired power plant and a 49-megawatt (MW) battery storage system in the United Kingdom. The joint venture between TotalEnergies and EPUKI marks a strategic partnership that reflects the evolving dynamics of the UK’s energy sector.
Sophie Chevalier, Senior Vice President Flexible Power & Integration at TotalEnergies, underscored the importance of the collaboration with EPH.
“We are delighted to partner with EPH, a recognized and experienced power producer in the United Kingdom.
“Thanks to this operation, we are adjusting our net flexible generation capacity at 700 MW, which is consistent with the capacity required to support our Renewables growth in the United Kingdom.”
Sophie Chevalier, Senior Vice President Flexible Power & Integration at TotalEnergies
The deal, driven by TotalEnergies’ broader Integrated Power strategy, showcases the company’s efforts to balance its renewable energy ambitions with flexible power generation.
The decision to divest a 50% stake in West Burton Energy according to TotalEnergies aligns with its larger strategy to transition toward net-zero emissions by 2050.
Balancing flexible gas-fired power plants with renewable energy sources, TotalEnergies aims to deliver clean, reliable, and cost-efficient energy solutions.
The West Burton plant, with its combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) technology and advanced battery storage, is a critical component of the UK’s flexible power infrastructure, ensuring grid stability as renewable energy adoption accelerates.
The sale reduces TotalEnergies’ direct exposure to fossil fuel generation while maintaining an operational interest in a critical asset that supports its renewable expansion.
Adjusting its net flexible generation capacity to 700 MW, the company aligns its power generation portfolio with the growing renewable energy capacity needed to meet the United Kingdom’s decarbonization goals.
This balance of renewable and flexible generation assets aligns with the company’s strategy to deliver “clean firm power”—reliable electricity produced from both renewable and flexible sources such as Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plants and energy storage systems.
EPH’s Strategic Gain
For EPUKI, the UK arm of EPH, the acquisition of a 50% stake in West Burton Energy is a strategic step to expand its footprint in the UK’s power market.
EPH, a major European energy player, has extensive experience in managing conventional power generation assets. Partnering with TotalEnergies, EPH gains shared operational control of a key gas-fired facility and battery system, enhancing its role as a reliable supplier of flexible energy in the United Kingdom.
“This integration between flexible and renewable assets will contribute to the objective of our Integrated Power business to reach 12% return by 2030,” said Sophie Chevalier.
The joint venture creates opportunities for both companies to leverage their combined expertise in flexible generation technologies and energy market operations.
It also provides a pathway for innovation in grid management solutions, especially as the UK transitions toward intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
While the global energy transition is predominantly focused on renewable sources, the role of gas in providing flexible and reliable energy cannot be overstated, especially in the short and medium term.
TotalEnergies’ sale of its shares in West Burton Energy may appear to be a retreat from fossil fuels, but it is better understood as part of a balanced approach to decarbonization.
Gas-fired plants like the West Burton facility are expected to play a crucial role in the transition by providing the flexibility needed to complement renewable energy sources.
These plants are able to quickly ramp up production when renewable generation is low, ensuring that energy supply remains consistent even as renewables grow.
As the energy landscape continues to evolve, TotalEnergies’ integrated approach combining renewable and flexible assets will play a crucial role in the UK’s energy transition, ensuring that TotalEnergies remains a key player in both the green revolution and the delivery of secure, reliable energy.
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