Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has made a significant step towards the UK’s net zero ambitions with its announcement of three large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Scotland. The three projects, which together will provide 1.5GW/3GWh of storage capacity, are poised to play a crucial role in supporting the UK’s clean energy transition, helping to reduce energy costs and bolster energy security.
A Major Investment in Energy Storage
The projects—Coalburn 1, Coalburn 2, and Devilla BESS—represent the largest BESS investments in Europe. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners reached final investment decisions (FID) on Coalburn 2 and Devilla BESS last week, following the success of the Coalburn 1 project. These energy storage systems will come online between 2026 and 2028, helping to address critical issues in the UK’s energy market.
Malcolm Paterson, CIP’s UK commercial director, emphasized the strategic importance of these projects. “These projects go a long way to supporting the UK’s ambition to net zero and to reducing costs for consumers and shore up energy security,” Paterson said.
Addressing Wind Energy Curtailment
One of the primary challenges that these BESS projects aim to resolve is the curtailment of wind energy in Scotland. The region boasts a substantial wind resource, but much of the generated energy cannot be transported south due to the lack of sufficient transmission infrastructure. BESS, located strategically on the B5 boundary, will help mitigate this issue by storing excess wind energy and redistributing it when needed.
Paterson highlighted the critical role of location for these transmission-connected batteries. “Location is the key bit for batteries that are transmission-connected as these are,” he explained. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) will utilize the Balancing Mechanism (BM) and intraday trading as the main routes to market for these projects, ensuring that stored energy can be accessed when demand is high.
Future of Energy Storage and Market Reforms
The new projects not only support the UK’s renewable energy goals but also offer a solution to the persistent challenges of grid reliability and energy storage. As energy market reforms are expected in the UK, these BESS projects are set to play a key role in shaping the future of energy storage and transmission.
CIP’s investment reflects growing confidence in the role that energy storage systems will play in the transition to a net zero future. These large-scale projects are expected to provide much-needed flexibility in managing renewable energy resources, ensuring that energy is available when it is needed most.