Lakeside Inaugurates the Largest Transmission-Connected Battery Energy Storage System in the UK

TagEnergy has announced the successful energization of its Lakeside Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) located in North Yorkshire, England. With a capacity of 100 MW/200 MWh, it is now the largest transmission-connected battery storage system in the UK. This project represents a major advancement for the company in the field of large-scale energy storage. The energization of Lakeside underscores TagEnergy’s commitment to the transition to renewable energy sources.

This project marks TagEnergy’s first transmission-connected battery storage installation. The energization was successfully carried out thanks to the collaboration between the project’s onsite team and National Grid engineers, the British electricity grid operator. The system is entirely owned and operated by TagEnergy, in partnership with Tesla, Habitat Energy, and RES. This cooperation between several key industry players demonstrates the importance of collaborative innovation in addressing current energy challenges.

Strategic Partnerships for Effective Energy Transition

EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction) contractor Tesla provided a system of Tesla Megapack 2XL lithium-ion batteries, recognized for their reliability and efficiency. Habitat Energy acts as a market access partner and battery optimizer, ensuring that the system operates at its full potential. Independent renewable energy company RES manages the assets, guaranteeing optimal long-term performance. These collaborations enable TagEnergy to maximize the efficiency and profitability of the storage system.

Franck Woitiez, Chief Executive Officer of TagEnergy, stated: “For a while, Lakeside will be the largest transmission-connected BESS project in the UK, and it is an important project that truly advances the energy transition.” He highlighted the project’s efficiency and the absence of significant delays or operational issues during the connection to National Grid’s network. According to him, it is precisely this type of achievement that is needed to accelerate the energy transition. Mr. Woitiez also expressed his pride in the efficient delivery of the project.

A Key Step Towards the Net Zero Emission Goal

Mr. Woitiez also expressed his satisfaction in working with the Lakeside project partners—Habitat Energy, Tesla, and RES—to realize the full value of battery storage by connecting more people to renewable energy. “In our relentless pursuit of net zero, this project is a significant advancement,” he added. Lakeside’s battery storage system will allow for the integration of more renewable energy into the electrical grid, thereby contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions.

TagEnergy acquired full ownership of the facility from RES in December 2021. Construction began in August 2023, demonstrating the company’s ability to quickly undertake large-scale projects. In October 2023, TagEnergy achieved financial close with a landmark non-recourse debt package, reinforcing the project’s financial viability. These crucial steps strengthen TagEnergy’s position as a major player in the renewable energy and energy storage sector.