​Construction is progressing on what is set to become Europe's largest battery storage facility, located in Coalburn, South Lanarkshire. The ambitious project, developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, consists of two battery farms designed to store enough electricity to power three million homes.

Battery energy storage systems are increasingly vital in balancing the UK's electricity grid, which relies heavily on renewable energy. Recent figures show that nearly 90% of Scotland's electricity in 2022 came from low-carbon sources, including wind, solar, and nuclear.

The Coalburn facility, with a capacity of one gigawatt, is being constructed in two phases. Phase one began in late 2023 and is expected to become operational this year, while phase two will soon commence on a site previously used for opencast coal mining. When complete, the system will store excess energy from wind farms, discharging it when demand is high or renewable energy production dips.

This facility forms part of a broader push to expand battery energy storage systems infrastructure across the UK. National Grid estimates suggest such systems will need to grow sixfold by 2030 to support the country's renewable energy goals. Expanding energy storage capacity is essential for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and ensuring grid stability as renewable generation grows.

In addition to Coalburn, CIP has announced a new battery storage project near Kincardine in Fife, increasing its total capacity to 1.5GW. These developments are seen as crucial to enhancing energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and advancing the UK's target of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050.

The Coalburn project also integrates other renewable initiatives, with a wind farm under construction at the site. Full capacity is expected to be reached by the end of 2027, marking a significant milestone in Scotland's energy transition.