Partners confirm major new Scottish enegry storage project is now online
Clean energy developers TagEnergy and Harmony Energy have announced their joint venture battery energy storage system (BESS) in Abernethy, Scotland, is now online.
The partners today confirmed the completion of the 49MW project today, which progressively came online in sections from November last year as trhe various phases of the project were finalised.
The completed system - known as the Jamesfield BESS - is now storing its first electrons using two-hour duration Tesla Megapack lithium-ion batteries, while Tesla's Autobidder AI software is managing real-time trading and control from the site. The system is managed by renewables developer RES.
Franck Woitiez, chief executive at TagEnergy, hailed the milestone as "another important marker for TagEnergy in the UK and beyond as we leverage our substantial storage expertise to help stabilise the grid and make a meaningful difference to the planet by relentlessly pursuing a renewables-led energy future".
Woitiez said TagEnergy had now completed three projects and had more than 200MW of additional BESS capacity under construction. "We look forward to bringing more projects online as we focus on helping the UK move closer towards net zero carbon emissions," he added.
Peter Kavanagh, chief executive of Harmony Energy, called the completion of the Jamesfield BESS "another significant milestone" for the company's joint venture with TagEnergy, following the success of its previous project at Chapel Farm.
"Battery energy storage systems are vital for unlocking the full potential of renewable energy in the UK," he added. "They play a pivotal role in advancing the net zero transition through the reduction of Co2 emissions, and are crucial for securing the future stability of the UK's energy supply and reducing dependence on foreign gas imports."
The Jamesfield development became a joint venture with Harmony Energy following TagEnergy's acquisition of a 60 per cent stake in the project in November 2021. Santander UK supported the transaction with £12.5m funding.
The project is TagEnergy's third investment in battery storage facilities in the UK to become operational, after Hawkers Hill Energy Park and Chapel Farm.
The completion of the projects together with its development pipeline brings TagEnergy's total secured portfolio in the UK to 320MW/640MWh.