The site in Dyce, near Aberdeen is located near a connection for North Sea offshore wind farms and will contribute towards managing network constraints – by storing electricity when it is abundant for times when it is not, helping improve the energy independence of the UK and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The project was developed by Cragside Energy Limited, backed by Omni Partners LLP, and obtained planning consent in November 2021. The go-live date for the project is mid-2024, construction should last eight months and will be aligned with the grid connection date.
“Battery storage can play a strategic role in helping to transition away from fossil fuels, by smoothing out the peaks and troughs associated with renewable energy generation,” said Bill Rees, Director of Centrica Energy Assets. “We should treat renewable energy like a precious resource and projects like this can help to maximise its efficacy.”
The project forms part of Centrica Energy Assets’ plan to deliver 900MW of solar and battery storage assets by 2026. Centrica already owns and operates the 49MW fast response battery at Roosecote, Cumbria.
Centrica Energy Assets will also work with Cragside Energy to identify new opportunities in the energy storage space.