Ford Energy signs first grid storage deal with EDF, up to 20 GWh

Under a five-year framework agreement announced Monday, EDF power solutions North America will be able to purchase as much as 4 gigawatt-hours of battery energy storage systems each year from Ford Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, putting the total ceiling of the deal at 20 GWh.

The companies said they do not expect the first shipments until 2028. They described the deal as making Ford Energy a main supplier for EDF power solutions' U.S. grid-scale storage projects.

Ford Energy will supply its DC Block storage unit under the agreement. Each unit fits in a standard 20-foot container and has a capacity of 5.45 MWh. The units use 512 Ah lithium iron phosphate prismatic cells, and buyers can choose either two-hour or four-hour discharge options. These storage units are designed for uses like frequency regulation, energy trading, peak load shifting, and microgrid integration.

"This agreement with EDF power solutions validates the market's need for a BESS supplier that combines industrial-scale manufacturing discipline with full lifecycle accountability," Ford Energy president Lisa Drake said in a statement. "We are not simply delivering hardware. We are delivering the kind of predictable quality and long-term operational confidence that grid operators and large-scale developers require."

Tristan Grimbert, CEO of EDF power solutions North America, highlighted the importance of reliable sourcing and strong manufacturing standards. "Ford Energy's commitment to domestic manufacturing and its rigorous approach to traceability and lifecycle support align with the standards we hold across our portfolio," he said.

Ford Energy launched in conjunction with the EDF announcement, targeting annual deployment of at least 20 GWh. Its assembly operations will be based at a Glendale, Kentucky plant that is being converted from prior battery manufacturing use, with initial deliveries to customers targeted for late 2027.

The backdrop to Ford Energy's creation is a broader retrenchment in Ford's electric vehicle strategy, which included a $19.5 billion write-down on EV programs and the cancellation of multiple planned electric models. Ford said at the time that the business case for pushing hard on EV production had "eroded." Ford Energy represents the company's effort to redirect battery manufacturing infrastructure toward the grid storage market.

EDF power solutions, part of the EDF Group, operates in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, focusing on low-carbon energy and grid infrastructure. The company says it has developed 26 GW of projects in North America and currently manages 17 GW under service contracts.

Shares of Ford Motor rose roughly 3.6% in premarket trading after the deal was disclosed, Reuters reported.