The largest battery farm in Europe is being built on the site of a former coal mine.
Work has begun on the construction of the largest energy storage project in Europe. The installation is being built in Coalburn, South Lanarkshire (Scotland). Developers promise that two battery farms—one located on the site of a former open-pit coal mine—will store enough electricity to power three million homes.
Energy Storage Supports Renewable Sources
According to the Scottish government, nearly 90% of the electricity produced in Scotland last year came from low-emission sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear energy.
To balance fluctuations in the production of energy from renewable sources, the National Grid estimates that energy storage capacity needs to increase nearly sixfold by the end of the decade.
Gigawatt Farm in Coalburn
Work on the first phase (Coalburn 1) began in November 2023, with commissioning planned for the end of this year. Developers, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), confirmed that the construction of the second phase will begin soon.
The second phase of the Coalburn project (Coalburn 2) is being built on the site of the former Broken Cross coal mine, about 6 kilometers south of Lesmahagow. A wind farm with nine turbines is also being built at this location.
Additionally, CIP announced that construction of a similar battery farm (Devilla) will soon begin in Kincardine, in Fife County. The combined capacity of Coalburn 1, Coalburn 2, and Devilla will be 1.5 GW (3 GWh).
Investment Supports Energy Transition
During a visit to the Coalburn construction site, Minister John Swinney emphasized that this technology will accelerate the transition to climate neutrality.
“Storage systems such as batteries or pumped storage hydropower help ensure reliable and stable energy supplies to homes and businesses. This investment is an important step toward a zero-emission future,” said Swinney.
The full operational capacity of the Coalburn project is expected to be achieved by the end of 2027.
Source: BBC