Fiddlers Ferry battery storage project takes a step forward with key appointments

Stockport-based OCU Energy has been appointed as principal contractor for a key storage facility at Fiddlers Ferry in Warrington.

SSE Renewables, part of the Scottish energy group SSE, is creating a 150MW battery storage scheme on the site of the former SSE-owned coal-fired power station, which was decommissioned in March 2020.

OCU Energy is currently working with SSE Renewables on its Ferrybridge battery storage project, in West Yorkshire.

SSE Renewables is progressing a 1.2GW secured pipeline of solar and battery projects across the UK and Ireland, with a further 1.3GW of other prospective sites under development.

US-based Fluence, a specialist in energy storage technology, digital solutions and services, has been selected as the supplier of the lithium-ion batteries for the Fiddlers Ferry site where construction is set to begin in the coming weeks after SSE Renewables took a final investment decision back in December 2023.

Richard Cave-Bigley, Director of Solar & Battery – SSE Renewables, said: “Battery storage systems like Fiddlers Ferry will be key in the UK’s transition to net zero and I am looking forward to seeing the project progress through construction in the coming months.”

Vince Bowler, COO of OCU Energy, said: “We’re proud to be delivering this contract for SSE Renewables and provide valuable energy storage in the North West. Working on energy transition schemes like this regionally and nationally moves us closer to net zero.”

Brian Perusse, Managing Director of Fluence Energy UK, said: “Fluence is committed to delivering safe and reliable energy storage systems that advance the energy transition and we are proud to work with SSE Renewables on this highly significant project.

“Fluence has a track record of operating systems with high performance levels, and we are committed to doing the same for Fiddlers Ferry.”