SSE Renewables’ first battery energy storage system (BESS) project at Salisbury in Wiltshire, England is now fully operational.
The 50MW/100MWh storage project, which could power over 80,000 homes for two hours at times of peak demand, is the first operational battery site in SSE’s portfolio.
The asset is now trading in Britain’s wholesale energy market following the completion last week of final energisation tests at the site. Battery storage plays a key role in unlocking the path to net zero because of its ability to hold and release energy when most needed, said the developer.
The Member of Parliament for Salisbury John Glen, who also serves as Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, officially marked the asset going operational at a ceremony held today.
Construction of the 26-battery unit project began on a site next to the old Quidhampton Quarry at Salisbury in 2022 in conjunction with project partners, technology group Wärtsilä.
The BESS is capable of storing up to 100MWh of energy for flexible dispatch when needed to the National Grid. When called upon, the system can operate for up to two hours at a time at times of peak demand.
“I am delighted to formally open Salisbury’s battery storage site,” said Glen (pictured left with SSE Renewables solar & battery head of construction Alun Robinson).
“SSE Renewables have installed 26 batteries on this site and they are now fully operational.
“This welcome investment means supply of energy from renewable sources is reliable. Salisbury is leading the way as we continue our journey to net zero.”
SSE said Salisbury BESS is now the company’s flagship operational battery site and will make an important contribution to the delivery of its Net Zero Acceleration Programme, a fully funded five-year investment plan which will see it investing over £7bn to 2027, or almost £4m a day on average, to deliver the low carbon infrastructure that will support the transition to net zero, including new battery storage technology.
In addition to Salisbury, SSE is constructing a 150MW battery project in Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire, which is due to complete in the first half of next year, and a 320MW battery project in Monk Fryston, North Yorkshire.
“It is with great pride that our first battery storage project at Salisbury is now fully operational, a huge milestone for everybody at SSE Renewables,” said director of development and construction – solar & battery Richard Cave-Bigley.
“Being a first-of-a-kind project for SSE, the project team has done a tremendous job throughout construction, and I’d like to congratulate everybody involved for their efforts to get to this stage, and I’d like to thank our project partners, Wärtsilä, for their work.
“Salisbury BESS will be a fantastic asset for SSE Renewables and our growing operational portfolio.”