Developer Kona Energy has concluded a capacity contract of approximately £ 40 million for his 228 MW/456MWH Battery Energy Storage System (Bess) in East -Lothian, Scotland.
According to Kona, the two -hour SMeaton Bess received a building permit in September 2024 in September 2024 and confirmed its position as one of the most advanced energy storage projects on grid -scale in the UK, according to Kona.
The project has confirmed its capacity market (CM) agreement in the T-4 auction and was one of the only a few awarded that are developed independently. The T-4 auction, which was closed on 11 March, bought a total of 43.1 GW in 669 capacity market units (CMUs).
According to Kona, as well as the CM contract with an index -linked income, the SMeaton Bess now benefits from two ‘protection’ under the current reform of the schedule connection and the Clean Power 2030 plan.
This trust comes if the National Energy System Operator (NESO) has promised to bring projects online prior to their CM delivery year. This suggests that the Smeaton Bess could be operational before 2029.
Moreover, the strategic location of the project in Scotland means that it matches the spatial energy plans that have been developed to adapt to clean energy goals.
There are important transmission restrictions between Scotland and England, with large amounts of wind generation in the first to be transported in the south. As a result, Neso pays wind energy factories to reduce generation or to stop high costs.
Kona notes that the upcoming closure of the Torness nuclear power plant, which will happen in 2028 (when Smeaton could come online), makes the Bess all the more critical for storing and sending surplus renewable energy.
The developer also said that strategic investment discussions are currently underway.
Andy Willis, founder of Kona Energy, said that the market contract of £ 40 million capacity “is the testament of the quality and national interest of the project”.
Willis added: “As we continue to delivery, we are actively involved in selected strategic partners who can bring the right expertise and capital to maximize the potential of the project – we are open to further discussions with third parties that can bring extensive value to deliver this project on ambitious scale that we strive for.”
