Work is set to commence in South Lanarkshire on Europe’s largest battery storage project.

The 500 MW facility near Coalburn will be constructed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) following completion of the latest land deal by Hargreaves Land.

The ‘Coalburn 2’ Energy Storage Project is located at Broken Cross, a former open cast mine owned by Hargreaves, where mining ended in 2016. Wildflower, grassland, and native tree planting will also take place across the site, creating new habitats and boosting biodiversity in the area.

The Coalburn Energy Storage Project is expected to reach full capacity by the end of 2027.

Work on the first phase started in November 2023 and is due to be operational later this year.

Andrew Johnson, regional director at Hargreaves Land, said: “As a business we are taking a proactive approach to facilitating the UK’s transition to net zero. This is the latest in a number of transactions we have overseen which are delivering essential energy transition projects. These projects will not only improve the UK’s own energy security but will also have a long-lasting positive impact on the planet.”

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are being built across the UK to help balance the electricity grid, which is becoming increasingly powered by renewables.

Almost 90% of the electricity generated in Scotland last year was from low carbon sources such as wind, solar or nuclear, according to figures from the Scottish government.

To help balance the peaks and troughs of renewables, the National Grid estimates that the UK would need to see BESS provision grow almost six times over by the end of the decade.