Centrica Business Solutions is converting a decommissioned gas-fired power station in Lincolnshire, in the east Midlands in England, into a 50MW battery storage plant.
Working in partnership with GE, Centrica has started construction on the 100 megawatt hour battery storage project at Brigg, which will provide energy storage for the 43 onshore wind farms across Lincolnshire.
The battery installed at Brigg represents the largest investment in storage capacity Centrica has made to date.
Brigg battery storage is set to be fully operational in late 2023 with plans to run the site for 25 years.
The system will have a two-hour duration, using GE’s flexible duration architecture that will allow Centrica to modify the duration of the system in response to future grid needs and market opportunities.
The battery storage system, supplied by GE, will provide grid support and energy services that will not only provide stability to the grid when there are power disruptions but also ensure renewable energy is utilised optimally.
It will free capacity to allow more new renewable generation on the network, Centrica said.
Greg McKenna, managing director of Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Investing in low-carbon energy assets that boost the UK’s ability to store more renewable energy is key to getting to Net Zero.
“Lincolnshire has 242MW of onshore wind power capacity, but when supply outstrips demand some of those green electrons will go to waste if not stored.
“Brigg battery storage investment will ensure we can maximise the use of the green energy generated by nearby wind farms – storing when the wind blows and discharging when it doesn’t.”
Prakash Chandra, renewable hybrids chief executive officer at GE, said: “The UK has been one of the earliest and largest players in the battery energy storage space and the installed capacity keeps growing.
“However, there is a need for more if the country wants to achieve its Net Zero emission target for the power sector by 2035.
“We are glad to bring another project to life together with Centrica.”