The directors present their annual report and the audited financial statements of Ocker Hill BESS Limited ("the Company") for the year ended 31 March 2026.
The results for the year are set out on page 8.
The loss for the financial year, after taxation, amounted to £113k (2025: £181k)
The Company has performed in line with the Directors' expectations. As the Company is currently in the construction phase of its project, it is not yet expected to be profit-making; however, once operational, the Company is expected to become profitable. The Company is expected to become operational in October 2026.
Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £nil (2025: £nil). The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, are deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors believe that using key performance indicators for the Company is not necessary or appropriate for an understanding of the performance or position of the Company.
Climate change
The increased need for renewable integration, resulting from the impact of climate change, is expected to increase reliance on battery storage assets and have a positive impact on operational and financial performance.
These financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis for the reasons set out in note 1 of the Accounting Policies.
The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 101 "Reduced Disclosure Framework", and applicable law).
Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards, comprising FRS101 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
Conclusions relating to going concern
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the members’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this conclusion is not a guarantee as to the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the members with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Reporting on other information
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditors’ report thereon. The directros are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any form of assurance thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report based on these responsibilities.
With respect to the Directors' report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the Companies Act 2006 have been included.
Based on our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 requires us also to report certain opinions and matters as described below.
Directors' Report
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Directors' report for the year ended 31 March 2026 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in the Directors' report.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Based on our understanding of the company and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to Companies Act 2006 and UK tax legislation, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries and the risk of management bias in accounting estimates. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
Enquiries of management around known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations, claims and litigation, and instances of fraud;
Understanding of management's controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities;
Review of board minutes;
Challenging management on assumptions and judgements made in their significant accounting estimates; and
Identifying and testing journal entries to assess whether any of the journals exhibited characteristics of fraud or appeared unusual in nature.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’ report.
Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.
Other required reporting
Companies Act 2006 exception reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
we have not obtained all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
adequate accounting records have not been kept by the company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the company's financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made.
We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.
Entitlement to exemptions
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, the directors were not entitled to: prepare financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime; take advantage of the small companies exemption in preparing the Directors’ report; and take advantage of the small companies exemption from preparing a strategic report. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.
There is no other comprehensive income in the year (2025: nil). All the activities of the company are from continuing operations.
The notes on pages 11 to 19 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 11 to 19 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 11 to 19 form part of these financial statements.
Ocker Hill BESS Limited ("the Company") is a private company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom and is registered in England and Wales. The registered office is 31-34 Alfred Place, London, England, WC1E 7DP.
The principal activity of the Company is the development, construction and operating of a battery storage project in Ocker Hill, England.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £'000.
As permitted by FRS 101, the company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions from the requirements of IFRS:
The following paragraphs of IAS 1, 'Presentation of financial statements':
- 10(d) (statement of cashflows);
- 16 (statement of compliance with all IFRS);
- 38A (requirement for minimum of two primary statements, including cash flow statements);
- 38B-D (additional comparative information);
- 111 (statement of cash flows information); and
- 134-136 (capital management disclosures).
IAS 7, 'Statement of cash flows'.
Paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8, ‘Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors’ (requirement for the disclosure of information when an entity has not applied a new IFRS that has been issued but is not yet effective).
Paragraphs 38 of IAS 1, 'Presentation of financial statements' – comparative information requirements in respect of:
- paragraph 79(a)(iv) of IAS 1; and
- paragraph 73(e) of IAS 16, 'Property, plant and equipment'.
Paragraph 17 of IAS 24, ‘Related party disclosures’ (key management compensation).
The requirements in IAS 24, ‘Related party disclosures’, to disclose related party transactions entered into between two or more members of a group.
Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the group accounts of Eku Energy Group Limited. The group accounts of Eku Energy Group Limited are available to the public and can be obtained as set out in note 15.
Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost over their estimated useful lives, as follows:
Assets under construction are not depreciated.
The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date such as an indicator of impairment. The Company has assessed for indicators of impairment at 31 March 2026 and no such indicators were found.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in the Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.
The company recognises financial debt when the company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instruments. Financial liabilities are classified as either 'financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss' or 'other financial liabilities'.
Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, trade payables and other short-term monetary liabilities, are initially measured at fair value net of transaction costs directly attributable to the issuance of the financial liability. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. For the purposes of each financial liability, interest expense includes initial transaction costs and any premium payable on redemption, as well as any interest or coupon payable while the liability is outstanding.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when, and only when, the company’s obligations are discharged, cancelled, or they expire.
Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.
At inception, the company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease within the scope of IFRS 16. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Where a tangible asset is acquired through a lease, the company recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. Right-of-use assets are included within property, plant and equipment, apart from those that meet the definition of investment property.
The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for lease payments made at or before the commencement date plus any initial direct costs and an estimate of the cost of obligations to dismantle, remove, refurbish or restore the underlying asset and the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received.
The right-of-use asset is subsequently adjusted for remeasurements of the lease liability and applies the relevant cost model, fair value model or revaluation model as set out within the accounting policies for the applicable asset class. Where the cost model is applied, the asset is depreciated from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term, and is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any.
The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are unpaid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the company's incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise fixed payments, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, and the cost of any options that the company is reasonably certain to exercise, such as the exercise price under a purchase option, lease payments in an optional renewal period, or penalties for early termination of a lease.
The lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. It is reassessed at each financial period end to reflect lease modifications and any changes to the factors considered at initial measurement, as set out above. When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.
Borrowing costs
General and specific borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use. All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.
Transfer pricing
Ocker Hill BESS Limited is a member of the Eku Energy Group, which comprises of Eku Energy Group Limited and all the subsidiaries within. The Group operates through multiple legal entities in different jurisdictions. Intercompany transactions are required to be priced on an arm’s length basis and supported by contemporaneous documentation. FY26 is the first year in which the Group has applied transfer pricing charges for specified intercompany services and transactions, with the objective of aligning profit allocation with value creation and supporting compliance with the arm’s length principle.
For FY26, transfer pricing charges to Ocker Hill BESS include recharges by operating companies for staff costs and non-project third-party overheads incurred in providing services to project companies, special purpose vehicles and other operating companies. The services provided include early stage and mid-late stage development services, construction management services, asset management services, and non-project support services. Staff costs, plus an appropriate margin, have been allocated to countries and projects based on management’s assessment of the percentage of employee time spent supporting projects through the relevant stages of their lifecycle. These allocated staff costs have been increased to reflect a proportion of third-party non-project costs incurred at operating company level. In addition, as project holding companies do not have employees of their own and remain under the control and strategic direction of the Executive Leadership Team and senior members of staff. Management has concluded that the annual net result of each project holding company should be reallocated to the operating companies that control the performance of the project holding companies. The reallocation is performed annually as part of the year-end process and results in a nil profit and loss result in each project holding company.
In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
The average number of persons employed by the Company during the financial year, including the Directors, amounted to nil (2025: nil). The Directors are not employed by the company and did not receive any remuneration during the year (2025: £nil).
The remuneration of the directors is paid by Eku Energy Limited, which makes no recharge to the Company. The Directors of the Company are directors of a number of fellow subsidiaries, and it is not possible to make an accurate apportionment of their remuneration in respect of each of the subsidiaries. Accordingly, the remuneration of the directors is not disclosed in the Company financial statements but is disclosed in the aggregate of directors’ remuneration disclosed in the financial statements of Eku Energy Limited.
The charge for the year can be reconciled to the loss per the statement of comprehensive income as follows:
Deferred tax of £6k (2025: £6k) in relation to unused losses has not been recognised in the financial statements due to there not being sufficient certainty over future profits against which to utilise them.
The Company entered into a 30 year land lease on 8 May 2025. The total cash outflow for leases in the period was £141k.
Battery storage facilities remained under construction at 31 March 2026.
The additions figure includes an amount of £nil (2025: £11k) relating to the current period audit fee.
Borrowing costs have been capitalised at a rate of 7.95%, in line with the unsecured loan rate. £1,592k of interest has been accrued and included within additions to assets under construction (2025: £122k). Assets under construction additions also includes an amount of £127k of finance costs relating to the land lease (2025: £nil).
The disposal relates to the reversal of capitalised development expenditure which was recognised in the financial year to 31 March 2025.
Amounts owed by fellow group undertakings represents VAT refunds received by Bloom BESS Finco Limited of £2,979k (2025: £372k received by Maldon BESS Limited) and a refund on development costs settled by Eku Energy Projects (UK) Limited on behalf of Ocker Hill BESS Limited of £42k (2025: £nil). As VAT returns are submitted as a group, any rebates due are paid directly to Bloom BESS Finco Limited.
Amounts owed to fellow group undertakings relates to shareholder loan interest of £1,592k and construction costs of £248k settled by Bloom BESS Finco Limited. See note 11 for shareholder loan terms.
Included within the comparative of amounts owed to fellow group undertakings is development costs paid by Eku Energy Projects (UK) Limited on behalf of Ocker Hill BESS Limited.
The Company entered into a shareholder loan agreement with Bloom BESS Finco Limited on 5 December 2024. As at 31 March 2026 £46,874k (2025: £4,612k) had been drawn down. The current balance includes capitalised interest of £118k (2025: £nil). The shareholder loan bears interest at 7.95% (2025: 7.95%) and is repayable on demand and is unsecured.
Lease liabilities are classified based on the amounts that are expected to be settled within the next 12 months and after more than 12 months from the reporting date as follows:
The company entered into a construction lease on 8 May 2025 which has been accounted for under IFRS 16.
Total lease payments in the year amounted to £141k (2025: £nil).
The Company has one class of Ordinary Share with a nominal value of £1 each.
During the year, the Company issued 100 ordinary shares at a nominal value of £1 each, generating a share premium of £1,650k. The ordinary shares carry full rights in respect of voting, dividends, and distributions on winding up.
At 31 March 2026 the company had capital commitments as follows:
As at 31 March 2026, the Company had capital commitments of £12,928k in relation to the construction and commissioning of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Ocker Hill, contracted but not yet incurred. The site is expected to reach commercial operation in October 2026.
The directors of the company have agreed with the company's auditors that the auditors' liability to damages for breach of duty in relation to the audit of the company's financial statements for the year to 31 March 2026 and the financial statements of its parent, Eku Energy Group Limited (the 'parent') and its other UK subsidiary companies whose statutory audits are governed by the same agreement with the auditors (the 'subsidiaries') will be limited to the greater of £5 million or 5 times the auditors' fees for the statutory audits, and that, in any event, the auditors' liability for damages will be limited to that part of any loss suffered by the parent company as is just and equitable having regard to the extent to which the auditors', the parent company, the subsidiaries and any third parties are responsible for the loss in question. The shareholders of the parent and its subsidiaries approved this limited liability agreement, as required by the Companies Act 2006, by a resolution dated 1 April 2026.