April 8th,  2025

With renewable energy sources like wind and solar now forming the backbone of the UK’s electricity mix, the need for dependable, on-demand power has never been greater. Peaking plants – which provide backup electricity during periods of high demand or renewable shortfall – are essential to keeping the lights on and the grid balanced.

At Terra Firma Energy, we’re proud to be supporting this vital need with our newly commissioned flexible gas generation site in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire. The site features two mtu 20V4000 L64 FNER gas gensets, delivering a combined 5 MW of rapid-response power to the UK grid.

Fast, Efficient and Low-Emission

Supplied by Rolls-Royce Solutions UK, the mtu gas gensets were chosen for their high efficiency, low emissions, and fast-start capability – ideal for modern grid demands. Future-proofing is also built in: the units are certified to operate with hydrogen blends once these become more widely available.

“Usually, these generators operate between 1,000 and 2,500 hours per year,” says Ben Howkins, Sales Manager at Rolls-Royce Solutions UK. “But due to the unusually cold winter coupled with a need for greater grid capacity, operational hours this year are forecasted to exceed this. I am proud that we are contributing to the energy transition in the UK with our products. Our gensets strengthen the local energy infrastructure and meet the growing demand for reliable and flexible power generation.”

Power in Partnership

The gensets were built at Rolls-Royce’s production site in Augsburg, Germany and installed into containerised units by Yellow Power Ltd, our trusted long-term power station equipment partner. Together, we’ve delivered a plant that brings rapid, dependable power online exactly when it’s needed.

“The launch of operations at our Droitwich site is a testament to the power of partnership and shared vision,” says William Davies, Managing Director at Terra Firma Energy. “Each of our collaborators has played a crucial role in bringing this project to life – ensuring it delivers flexible, reliable energy to meet the demands of a modern grid.”

Scalable Energy for a Changing Landscape

Modular gas genset plants like ours can be deployed in as little as 12 months and installed virtually anywhere with access to gas and a grid connection. In Droitwich, our gensets can go from standby to full output in just 120 seconds – a critical advantage during peak demand periods.

Because they typically run a few times per day for short durations, their ongoing maintenance and lifecycle costs are also significantly reduced, making them both economically and operationally efficient.

Supporting the UK’s Energy Transition

Across the UK, over 500 mtu gas engines are already supporting the capacity market, and new installations continue to come online. At Terra Firma, we’re proud to be part of this momentum – delivering high-performance, flexible energy solutions that work alongside renewables to build a cleaner, more resilient energy future.