Renewable energy company RES has signed an agreement to manage the 500-megawatt (MW) Coalburn battery energy storage project in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, the firm announced on Wednesday.
Once completed, the project on a former coal mining site will become one of Europe’s largest battery storage facilities, with a total capacity of 1 gigawatt-hour (GWh), according to RES.
The Coalburn project is being developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) in collaboration with Alcemi. It aims to help balance the electricity grid by storing energy during periods of low demand or high renewable output, and releasing it when demand peaks or renewable generation falls.
RES will provide asset management services to ensure efficient operation and long-term value from the facility.
“Coalburn is a significant step forward for grid-scale storage in the UK and we’re proud to be supporting its long-term operation,” said Ian Hunter, global head of asset management at RES. “As electricity demand increases and renewable generation continues to grow from wind and solar, battery projects are essential to balance the system and maximise the value of clean energy.”
Construction of the first 500MW phase began in late 2023, with operations expected to start later this year. A second 500MW phase, Coalburn 2, is planned for 2027.
Malcolm Paterson, commercial director at CIP, said the investments will raise CIP’s UK battery energy storage system (BESS) portfolio to 1.5 gigawatts.
“This supports the UK’s pursuit of a clean power system by 2030 and the goal of delivering a net zero carbon economy by 2050,” Paterson said. “We welcome the partnership with RES in operating our Coalburn BESS sites, which stand to enhance energy security and provide the grid with much-needed flexibility.”
Coalburn is among the largest battery projects in RES’s global portfolio, which includes more than 43 gigawatts of wind, solar, storage, and green hydrogen projects across 1,300 sites worldwide.
RES operates global control centers, including one in Glasgow, that monitor assets in real time. The company said large-scale battery storage is critical for ensuring a stable electricity system as the UK increases its reliance on variable renewable energy sources.
RES has also urged for faster upgrades to the electricity grid and more responsive planning processes to support the rapid expansion of clean energy infrastructure.
