Group wins £23m contract for pioneering energy storage development

Hull-based engineering specialist Spencer Group has been appointed to play a key role in the development of a new energy plant which aims to reshape the future of renewable energy. 

Spencer Group will deliver a £23m contract to design the site layout and deliver the enabling works and civils for a first-of-its-kind energy storage facility which is being developed at Trafford Energy Park in Carrington, Manchester. 

The £300m development by Highview Power will store surplus electricity generated from wind and solar, and will be the first commercial-scale plant in the UK to deploy a pioneering new technology known as liquid air energy storage.

Developed by Highview Power in the UK over the past 17 years, the technology allows renewable energy to be stored for up to several weeks, longer than battery technologies.

The plant will be one of the world’s largest facilities of its kind and, once complete, will have storage capacity to provide enough clean and green energy to serve the needs of 480,000 homes.

Spencer Group executive chairman, Charlie Spencer, said: “Highview Power is a leading player in helping the UK achieve its net zero targets and is addressing the key issue of energy storage.

“We’re pleased to be involved with this exciting and pioneering project, which promises to reshape the future of renewable energy. 

“We have a strong track record of delivering large-scale energy projects and we’re excited to expand our portfolio of works within this field with a project that will play a key role in the UK’s energy transition.” 

Highview Power aims to solve the question of “what do you do when the wind doesn’t blow, and the sun doesn’t shine?”

The company has developed technology to convert excess energy into liquid air, which can be easily and safely stored, before being converted back into electricity when power is required.

This will support the UK’s energy transition by making intermittent renewable sources such as wind and solar more flexible, as well as cutting energy waste, reducing dependence on foreign gas and ensuring the UK meets net zero goals. 

John Goldie, Highview Power, programme director, added: “We are looking forward to continuing to build and further our relationship with Spencer Group, which we have developed over the past 24 months during the pre-execute phase of the Carrington project. 

“We selected Spencer Group based on their expertise and experience in delivering similar type projects and providing innovative and value-added solutions in engineering and construction.” 

Spencer Group’s Civils Division will begin work on site in late 2024, with the plant expected to be operational in 2026.

Highview Power recently secured backing from UK Infrastructure Bank and energy and services company Centrica, alongside a syndicate of investors including Rio Tinto, Goldman Sachs, KIRKBI and Mosaic Capital, to help fund its plans to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero.

The Carrington development is expected to create more than 700 jobs.