SSE Renewables has broken ground at its 150MW Ferrybridge battery storage project in West Yorkshire, England.
The scheme is due for completion at the end of 2024, supported by construction contractor OCU Services and battery supplier Sungrow Power.
It is being built at the site of a former coal-fired power station, which was decommissioned by SSE in 2016.
SSE Renewables director of solar and battery Richard Cave-Bigley (pictured, left) said: “We’re breaking new ground with our first battery at an existing SSE site.
“Ferrybridge used to be a coal site, but today we’ve evolved to building a 150MW flexible battery asset that can store the energy we need to help get to net zero.”
Once operational, it will be capable of providing the UK’s national grid with a total 300MWh of flexible capacity as it can operate for two hours at a time, according to the developer.
Sungrow Europe president Lewis Li said: “We are proud to supply our liquid-cooled energy storage system, the PowerTitan, to this landmark project.
“We are excited for what is to come with our partnership with SSE Renewables as we work towards maximising the profitability for the project with cutting-edge products and services.”
OCU Services managing director Vince Bowler added: “We’re proud to be involved in this low-carbon technology scheme and look forward to continued collaborative working with SSE Renewables and Sungrow to safely deliver this key piece of infrastructure – critical in meeting the UK’s peak demand and power requirements.”
SSE Renewables is progressing a 1.2GW secured pipeline of solar and battery projects across the UK and Ireland and has a further 1.3GW of other prospective sites under development.
Ferrybridge is its second battery project to enter construction, following on from a 50MW BESS facility in Salisbury that is due to be operational by the end of 2023.
Planning permission has also been secured for its 150MW Fiddler’s Ferry and 320MW Monk Fryston battery projects.