Civil engineering firm Jones Bros has commenced the construction of a 230MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Uskmouth, South Wales. This project, one of the UK's largest battery storage initiatives to date, is being undertaken for Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners and E.ON under a multi-million-pound contract.
The 230MW battery is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2025 and will play a crucial role in supporting the UK's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The project site, a former coal-fired power station, has undergone extensive preparatory work, including the creation of a compound and the installation of acoustic fencing.
Jones Bros has imported approximately 74,000 cubic meters of aggregate by rail to elevate the site above the flood plain. The main platform features four impermeable cells designed to capture and distribute water to an attenuation pond. Current activities include laying foundations for the battery and power conversion systems, as well as constructing primary and secondary substations and transformers.
The project also involves repurposing existing infrastructure. A fly ash tunnel will be cleaned and used to house cables and electrical components. As part of an ecological enhancement plan aimed at creating a sustainable energy park, new fencing will be installed, and landscaping will be undertaken to attract wildlife such as otters and water voles.
Rhys Roberts, Jones Bros contacts manager, highlighted the significance of the project. “It's a fantastic scheme to be a part of as the country's energy transition gathers speed. Helping turn a former coal-fired power station site into one that will play a significant role in supporting sources of renewable energy is wonderful for us as a company,” he said.
The project leverages existing infrastructure, including grid connections, industrial water supplies, and railway access, which will reduce road transportation by an estimated 230,000 miles. Roberts emphasized the firm's commitment to minimizing local impact by utilizing the railway for transporting aggregates and battery units.
Jones Bros is also converting a pre-existing garage from the old power station into a welfare building, aiming for an excellent rating under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. Roberts added, “We are currently achieving that as part of our activity, which is due to be completed towards the end of the year.”
