Work begins on 50MW battery project at decommissioned power station

Centrica and GE have begun work to convert a decommissioned gas-fired power station in Lincolnshire into a battery storage facility capable of supplying the equivalent of a full day’s energy consumption for 11,000 households.

The 50MW battery at Brigg will provide energy storage for 43 onshore wind farms across the county.

The facility is expected to be fully operational by late 2023 and will run for 25 years. It will have the capacity to store 100MWh of electric energy – equivalent to a day’s energy consumption for around 15% of the homes in North Lincolnshire.

Greg McKenna, managing director at Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Investing in low-carbon energy assets that boost the UK’s ability to store more renewable energy is key to getting to Net Zero. Lincolnshire has 242MW of onshore wind power capacity, but when supply outstrips demand some of those green electrons will go to waste if not stored. Working with GE we’ll store green energy produced locally and use it as efficiently as possible.

“As the UK’s power generation capacity becomes more distributed and the share of renewables increases, generation flexibility becomes critical to keep the lights on securely, sustainably, and affordably. Brigg battery storage investment will ensure we can maximise the use of the green energy generated by nearby wind farms – storing when the wind blows and discharging when it doesn’t.”

Prakash Chandra, renewable hybrids chief executive officer at GE, added: “The UK has been one of the earliest and largest players in the battery energy storage space and the installed capacity keeps growing. However, there is a need for more if the country wants to achieve its Net Zero emission target for the power sector by 2035. We are glad to bring another project to life together with Centrica.”