The renewable energy arm of utility company SSE has started construction of a 320MW/640MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in North Yorkshire.
When completed it will be one of Britain’s largest BESSs. Construction of the Monks Fryston BESS officially began yesterday (8 October), as confirmed by a ceremony attended by project partners Morrison Energy Services and energy storage provider Sungrow, along with SSE Renewables.
The aim is to power the BESS in early 2026, after SSE makes a final investment decision on the project in November 2023. It is located next to a substation operated by the UK transmission system operator (TSO) National Grid.
In August, Sungrow, a manufacturer of PV inverters and energy storage systems, agreed to supply its PowerTitan liquid-cooled BESS units for the project.
Heather Donald, director of onshore wind, solar and batteries at SSE Renewables, said energy storage projects such as Monks Fryston will be crucial in achieving the UK’s net zero targets while providing flexibility to the electricity grid.
“Building a battery project of this size and scale is a huge testament to how far we have come in such a short time, with our first 50MW battery in Salisbury already becoming fully operational earlier this year,” Donald added .
SSE Renewables has expanded its BESS portfolio in the UK in a bid to support the country’s decarbonisation goals. Earlier this year (April 15), the organization confirmed that its 50MW/100MWh 2-hour Salisbury project became its first operational BESS.
SSE Renewables is also building a 150MW battery project in Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire, due for completion in the first half of 2025.
This article was originally published on our sister siteEnergy storage.News.
