In a joint effort to support the UK’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality, Ameresco, Inc. and Envision Energy have been selected by Atlantic Green to develop the Cellarhead BESS project, a 300 megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system with a maximum energy capacity of 624 megawatt-hours (MWh). The project will be connected to National Grid’s Cellarhead substation, bringing enhanced energy security and reliability to the UK power grid. With construction scheduled to start this year and grid connection anticipated for late 2026, the Cellarhead BESS project represents a breakthrough for the UK’s energy transition, supporting increased clean energy penetration, reducing fossil fuel dependency and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
An Ambitious Project for Stored Energy
Atlantic Green, founded in 2021 as a joint venture between Nofar Energy and Interland Group, aims to develop 2 gigawatts (GW) of battery energy storage capacity in the UK. Ameresco has signed an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) and O&M (operation and maintenance) contract, which includes the supply of batteries, balance of plant, warranty and availability insurance. Envision Energy, a leading manufacturer, will provide the battery energy storage system and associated services, as well as equipment warranties. The total EPC price is around $249 million (£196.5 million). This partnership illustrates Ameresco’s and Atlantic Green’s shared commitment to supporting the UK’s energy transition and promoting energy self-sufficiency through cutting-edge technologies.
A Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation
Nick Bradford, Managing Director of Atlantic Green, emphasized the strategic importance of the continued development of battery energy storage systems in achieving the UK’s net zero emissions targets. He also highlighted Atlantic Green’s mission to leverage energy storage assets to meet growing demand and make a significant impact on the UK electricity system. Mark Apsey, Senior Vice President of UK Operations at Ameresco, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the importance of energy storage technologies in achieving the UK’s net zero emissions targets. Kane Xu, Global Vice President of Envision Energy, also expressed his pride in contributing to this iconic project, highlighting the crucial role of advanced storage solutions in enhancing energy security and enabling a smooth transition to renewable energy sources.
Long-term prospects and challenges
The Cellarhead BESS project is part of a series of initiatives by the Biden-Harris administration and the UK government to catalyze the development of the wind energy industry and energy storage technologies. Since 2021, the US Department of the Interior has approved several large-scale offshore wind projects, representing a combined capacity of over 10 gigawatts of clean energy. These projects aim to supply nearly four million homes, demonstrating our firm commitment to renewable energies. However, there are challenges to realizing these projects, including high initial costs and the need for a robust support infrastructure. Government support, through modernized regulations and economic incentives, remains crucial to facilitating these developments.
