Terra Firma Energy Appoints EDF as Optimisation Partner for Flexible Generation Portfolio
Terra Firma Energy Limited (“TFE”), a leading developer and operator of flexible energy assets across the United Kingdom, has announced the appointment of EDF (UK) as the optimisation partner for its 5MW Droitwich flexible generation plant. This strategic move represents a significant milestone in TFE’s ongoing growth and operational strategy, aimed at consolidating its assets under a single, trusted optimisation partner to maximise efficiency, reliability, and commercial performance.
Under this new partnership, EDF will assume responsibility for the trading and dispatch of TFE’s entire operational portfolio. This includes managing assets across wholesale electricity markets, the Balancing Mechanism, and ancillary service platforms. EDF’s market-leading optimisation tools and deep experience in energy trading will be deployed to ensure TFE’s assets are operated in the most commercially advantageous way, while simultaneously supporting the UK energy system with flexible and responsive generation capacity.
Flexible generation has become increasingly critical in the UK energy market, particularly as the share of intermittent renewable energy sources continues to rise. Flexible plants like TFE’s Droitwich facility can respond rapidly to fluctuations in supply and demand, providing system operators with the ability to balance the grid effectively. By partnering with EDF, TFE gains access to sophisticated optimisation algorithms and real-time market insights, enabling the company to maximise asset utilisation, improve operational efficiency, and secure additional revenue streams through participation in multiple market mechanisms.
Zach Dodds-Brown, Development Director at Terra Firma Energy, emphasised the strategic significance of the partnership:
“Appointing EDF as optimiser for our Droitwich site and consolidating our assets under their management is an important step in our growth strategy. EDF’s depth of expertise, proven trading capability, and long-term approach gives us the confidence that our portfolio will be optimised effectively. This ensures we deliver value to our investors while supporting the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system.”
The Droitwich plant, located in the West Midlands, forms a key part of TFE’s expanding network of flexible generation assets across the UK. Designed to operate during periods of peak demand and system stress, these assets play a crucial role in maintaining grid stability, particularly as renewable energy sources such as wind and solar contribute increasingly variable output. By providing flexible, fast-response generation, TFE helps to stabilise supply, reduce reliance on fossil fuel peaking plants, and facilitate the integration of renewables into the grid.
EDF’s appointment reflects a broader trend in the energy sector, where developers and operators of flexible generation assets are increasingly seeking strategic partnerships with experienced market participants. The company’s expertise in trading, market analysis, and optimisation software allows TFE to focus on asset development and expansion, while ensuring that operational assets are consistently dispatched in a commercially optimal manner.
The partnership also underlines TFE’s commitment to long-term sustainable growth. By consolidating operational assets under a single optimiser, TFE aims to reduce operational complexity, improve transparency, and achieve more consistent performance across its portfolio. This approach allows the company to respond more effectively to evolving market conditions, regulatory changes, and the growing need for system flexibility in a decarbonising energy landscape.
Looking ahead, TFE intends to continue its portfolio expansion through a combination of new developments and strategic acquisitions. The company has already established a track record of successfully developing flexible generation plants in key regions of the UK, and partnerships with established operators like EDF will support both operational efficiency and commercial performance as the company grows.
Flexible generation assets are increasingly recognised as a vital component of the UK’s energy transition. As intermittent renewable sources expand, the need for assets that can provide rapid response to grid imbalances becomes more pressing. TFE’s Droitwich site, along with its broader portfolio, is well positioned to meet this challenge. By leveraging EDF’s market-leading optimisation capabilities, TFE can ensure its assets deliver maximum value while supporting the stability and resilience of the national energy system.
The collaboration between TFE and EDF also highlights the potential for innovation and partnership in the energy sector. By combining TFE’s operational expertise and growing asset base with EDF’s market knowledge and optimisation technology, the partnership is designed to achieve multiple objectives: maximising financial returns, enhancing grid reliability, and supporting the UK’s broader energy transition goals.
