Zenobē announced the financial close of its 200 MW, 800 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Coalburn, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The facility will become the first four-hour grid-scale battery connected to the United Kingdom’s transmission network to reach this financial milestone.
The project marks a new advancement for British energy storage and reflects the growing need for flexible solutions capable of supporting an electrical grid increasingly dependent on renewable energy.
Coalburn Will Enhance Grid Flexibility
The future facility will be able to import or export up to 200 MW for four consecutive hours, reaching a total storage capacity of 800 MWh.
Additionally, the system will be able to operate under different power and duration schemes. For example, it will be capable of supplying 100 MW for eight hours or 50 MW for sixteen hours while maintaining the same energy capacity, which significantly expands its applications within the electrical system.
Preparatory works have already begun and formal construction will commence in July. Commercial operation is scheduled for 2028.
A Project Supported by International Technology and Financing
Zenobē is developing Coalburn alongside several specialized partners from the energy sector. e-STORAGE, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, will supply the battery systems, while Omexom will be responsible for the associated infrastructure.
Furthermore, Drax Group will manage the asset’s commercialization through a tolling agreement designed to optimize its participation in energy markets and grid stability services.
Financing was provided by a group of international entities composed of Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW), ABN AMRO, Mizuho, and Siemens Financial Services, institutions that had previously participated in Zenobē’s 400 MW storage project in Eccles.
Long-Duration Storage Gains Prominence in the United Kingdom
The evolution of the British electricity market is increasing demand for systems capable of storing energy for longer periods. This type of asset allows better utilization of renewable generation and reduces the constraints associated with the variability of wind and solar energy.
According to James Basden, founding director of Zenobē, Coalburn represents the fourth large-scale project in Scotland that the company has brought to financial close in the last eighteen months. The executive also highlighted that the company has invested over £1 billion in Scotland during the last three years through clean energy and sustainable transport projects.
A Commitment to Decarbonization Without Direct Subsidies
The project has been developed without public subsidies and represents evidence of the maturity achieved by the British energy storage market.
Likewise, the initiative is part of Zenobē’s strategy to accelerate the integration of renewable energy and strengthen the United Kingdom’s energy security. The company currently has 3.3 GWh of batteries operational or under construction in the country.
The Coalburn facility will contribute to improving the electrical system’s resilience, facilitate greater incorporation of renewable generation, and support national clean energy targets for 2030.
Source and photo: https://www.zenobe.com/
