Rolls-Royce has begun construction of a 43 MW battery energy storage facility in Falkirk, Scotland, under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract awarded by Voltaria Helios Energy Storage.
The project, which will use Rolls-Royce’s mtu EnergyPack system, will have a storage capacity of 86 MWh and is due to connect to the grid in 2026 before entering operation in 2027. According to the companies, the site is expected to help stabilise the Scottish power grid and support the wider aims of the UK’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.
While Rolls-Royce has been getting attention recently for its work on Small Modular Reactors, the company has long produced large-scale energy storage systems through its subsidiary, mtu solutions. Those battery packs have all been installed abroad, however, with installations in the Netherlands, Lithuania and Germany. Now, it’s gearing up for its first energy storage project in the UK.
The UK is widely seen as having one of Europe’s most established battery storage markets, so it was only a matter of time before we saw its technologies installed on our shores. The location of Falkirk in Scotland is also significant as it’ll be located close to a significant source of renewable energy generation.
Once operational, the Falkirk facility will store electricity when renewable generation is high and discharge it back to the grid during periods of stronger demand. That should help cut back on curtailment costs, which have skyrocketed in recent years.
Andreas Görtz, President Business Unit Mobile & Sustainable at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, noted, “As a European turnkey integrator, we foster the energy transition by delivering storage solutions – from system design and EPC delivery to intelligent control and lifecycle support. Our collaboration with Voltaria draws on all the experience we have gained in over 200 battery projects worldwide.”
Nigel Jefferson, CEO at Voltaria, added, “The Bankside project in Falkirk is the first of many battery energy storage sites Voltaria intends to deliver and operate. Rolls-Royce were selected because we were impressed by their commercial and technical offering, as well as their technical advice and engagement in the run-up to the decision, and their 15-year full-wrap long-term service agreement. Rolls-Royce and the CATL battery solution are market leaders, and both stand for quality, so our expectations for the delivery and operation of this project are high. Rolls-Royce has also leveraged the Scottish supply chain, which is great to see.”
Rolls-Royce said it will provide the project as a turnkey solution and will also maintain the system under a 15-year service agreement.
