Europe’s largest BESS comes online

Europe’s largest operational battery energy storage system (BESS) has come on stream.

Coalburn 1, a 500 MW, two-hour duration project in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, is one of a portfolio of three which together provide 1.5GW of energy capacity.

Investors Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) said the new facility will play an important role in strengthening the flexibility and resilience of the UK power system and supporting the continued integration of renewable energy generation.

Nischal Agarwal, Partner at CIP, said: “Coalburn 1 will enhance the flexibility and resilience of the UK electricity system, support the integration of more renewable power, and contribute to lowering costs for consumers.”

A recent report predicted that global BESS installed capacity is forecast to increase sixfold between 2025 and 2030.