Irish utility ESB has entered the UK storage market with the purchase of a 7MW battery site from renewable developer Anesco for an undisclosed sum.
The Mill Farm facility, located near Grantham in Lincolnshire, consists of six containerised battery units with a total storage capacity of 7MWh.
The project was funded and developed by Anesco. It was built in just 12 weeks and became operational in April.
The batteries will generate income from multiple revenue streams, including the provision of balancing services to National Grid.
Executive directive of ESB Generation and Wholesale Markets, Jim Dollard, said: “ESB has been a leading independent generator in the UK for more than 25 years and the commercial operation at Mill Farm marks another important milestone for the company.
“The site will enable us to develop the technical, commercial and regulatory expertise in battery storage and flexible technologies. This will help to make electricity systems more stable and reliable, while allowing for enhanced performance and flexibility of our existing and future plant.”
Anesco executive chairman Steve Shine said: “We’re delighted to be working with ESB on this project – one that supports the utility’s commitment to moving towards a sustainable electricity system.”
Anesco currently has 29 operational storage sites, featuring 76 individual battery units with a combined capacity of 87MW. The company is aiming to install another 300MW of storage by 2020.
In September 2017, Anesco officially opened the first subsidy-free solar farm in the UK.