Two of Europe’s largest batteries costing £800m to be built in Scotland

Two of the largest battery storage projects in Europe, which cost around £800m, are set to be built in Scotland.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ Coalburn 2 will be built in South Lanarkshire and the Devilla project will be constructed near the town of Kincardine in Fife.

The CIP already operate a battery energy storage system in South Lanarkshire called Coalburn 1. In total the three batteries will hold a total power capacity of 1.5GW.

They will be able to supply enough energy to the grid to provide electricity to the equivalent of over 4.5m households, across a two-hour period.

To mark the beginning of the project Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney and Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin toured the ongoing construction works at the Coalburn site.

The First Minister said: “The construction of the two largest battery systems in Europe, in South Lanarkshire and Fife, delivered by international investment, is to be welcomed as a significant contribution to the growth of Scotland’s energy transition infrastructure.

“By helping to supply reliable and secure power to our homes and businesses, well-located storage systems, such as batteries and pumped hydro storage, can move us closer to net zero and directly support the communities around them.

“Scotland is open for business when it comes to new investments in the technologies and systems that will play a role in our just energy transition.”

Nischal Agarwal, partner at CIP added: “CIP’s latest investments in Scottish battery energy storage will support the UK’s pursuit of a clean power system by 2030 and delivering a net zero carbon economy by 2050.

“Well located battery storage, such as our Coalburn and Devilla projects, enhance energy security, provide the grid with much needed flexibility and enable low cost renewables to be deployed faster.

“CIP is thoroughly committed to a vibrant Scottish renewable sector, and we are thrilled to welcome the First Minister John Swinney, and Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin, to our Coalburn sites to signal our recent investment decisions, and start construction of the Coalburn 2 site.”

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