The first stage in a set of £1 billion, 3GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) projects has just become operational.
Masdar has said that commercial operations at its BESS facility, located in Stockport, UK, have begun. With a capacity of 20 megawatts, the facility can store enough clean electricity to power 20,000 homes for more than two hours.
This project is the first in a series of BESS projects that will see United Arab Emirates' renewable energy company Masdar invest a total of £1 billion in the UK. The company is also set to develop similar facilities in Chesterfield and Cardiff, which will have a combined capacity of 150 megawatts and together will store enough electricity to power more than 35,000 homes for a day, the company has said. These investments follow Masdar’s acquisition of UK-based BESS developer Arlington Energy in 2022.
BESS projects are important for balancing and stabilising the intermittent energy supply that comes from renewables, by storing energy in periods of low demand and releasing it when demand rises. This supports energy security, as well as the UK’s decarbonisation goals and could contribute to the lowering of energy bills.
The investment by Masdar also contributes to the UK government’s plans to build up to 27 gigawatts of battery storage capacity by the end of the decade as set out in its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. The government says that this plan will tackle three major challenges including the need for a secure and affordable energy supply, the creation of essential new energy industries, and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Masdar’s director global of offshore wind and UK, Husain Al Meer said: “BESS is critical to helping the UK to transform its energy systems, unlock more renewables deployment, and bring tangible benefits to consumers, businesses and local communities.”
Masdar added that the BESS projects are being built in close consultation with local stakeholders. The Stockport facility is built on a brownfield site, with a project to enhance local biodiversity also being carried out. Similarly, the planned Cardiff project will be built on industrial brownfield site, while the Chesterfield project will be built on land previously used for coal mining.
During October this year Masdar broke ground, in Abu Dhabi, on what is said to be the world’s first giga-scale solar and battery storage project. This includes a 5.2-gigawatt solar plant, coupled with a 19-gigawatt hour BESS, said to be “the largest and most technologically advanced system of its kind in the world.” It will deliver up to 1 gigawatt-based load power each day.
Further reading:
- Battery company plans new £1 billion gigafactory
- IEA predicts diverse battery chemistry will reduce reliance on mining by 2030
- UK’s Humber region could lead the world in a green recovery
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