Published: 28 May 2021, 14:18
Image: Zenobe.
Zenobe is developing Scotland’s first transmission-connected battery storage project, it has announced.
The 50MW project in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire will help ease grid constraints, stabilise the system and enable greater renewable energy growth. By managing constraints on the system, 640GWh more renewable generation will be able to travel from north to south over the next 15 years thanks to the site.
It is expected to be operational by the end of 2022 as the battery owner and operator has now received the rights to the site, which is to be one of the biggest in Scotland as well as the first designed to directly ease constraints.
James Basden, co-founder and director of Zenobe, said the company was “incredibly excited to be launching this pioneering project”.
“With some of the world’s most ambitious climate change targets, and COP26 taking place in Glasgow this November, all eyes are on Scotland, and this is exactly the type of innovation needed to help the country become a world leader in renewable energy production.”
Scotland is working towards net zero by 2045, and has already moved forwards significantly, with 97% of electricity demand in 2020 met by renewables.
Zenobe has c.170MW of contracted storage assets in the UK, along with its work in the EV bus sectors and its own proprietary software.
The announcement of the development of the Wishaw battery follows the company unveiling plans for a 100MW project in Capenhurst, Chester, which it said is set to be Europe’s largest grid-connected battery in April.