Centrica Business Solutions, a leading energy company, has secured the development rights for a groundbreaking battery storage project in Perthshire, Scotland. With a capacity of 65MW and a duration of two hours, this project represents Centrica's largest battery storage acquisition to date.

Located in Abernethy, the site is strategically situated near a connection point for offshore wind farms. The battery storage plant will play a crucial role in managing grid capacity by charging during periods of low power demand and discharging when demand peaks.

Once connected to the grid in 2028, the battery will have the capability to store enough electricity to power approximately 130,000 homes for an hour. To put it into perspective, this is equivalent to providing power to a town the size of Aberdeen. The battery will have the flexibility to discharge up to four times a day, ensuring reliable energy supply during peak demand periods.

This ambitious project is part of Centrica's broader plan to deliver 1GW of low-carbon energy assets. It complements their existing 30MW battery storage plant in Aberdeenshire, which is scheduled to become operational in mid-2024.

Gregory McKenna, Managing Director at Centrica Business Solutions, emphasized the importance of battery storage sites in achieving a reliable, secure, and decarbonized power system. McKenna stated that storing surplus energy during times of abundance and utilizing it during peak demand is crucial for meeting ambitious climate targets.

However, McKenna also highlighted the challenges faced by renewable energy projects, such as lengthy connection wait times due to grid constraints. He emphasized the need to expedite grid connections to avoid further delays in new and existing projects, ensuring the smooth progress of the net-zero transition.

Centrica's significant investment in the Perthshire battery storage project underscores their commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and contributing to Scotland's clean energy goals. By harnessing the power of battery storage, Centrica aims to drive the transition towards a reliable, low-carbon power system that supports the country's journey to net-zero emissions.