Battery storage facility given greenlight in Tees Valley

A 100 MW-capacity battery energy storage system (BESS) is set to be built in Tees Valley at the Teesworks industrial zone – the UK’s largest freeport.

Battery storage specialists Energy Optimisation Solutions (EOS) will build the £62m (US$83m) facility across a three-acre plot along the River Tees.

EOS expects the facility to cut annual carbon emissions in the zone by 4,000 t/y and support the creation of 100 jobs.

Chris Musgrave, chairman of Teesworks, said: “Battery energy storage is another key piece in the clean energy mix at Teesworks, helping to ensure that energy needs can be met from renewable sources regardless of weather conditions.”

UK's biggest freeport

With approximately £2bn invested in the zone and 2,725 jobs currently supported, Teesworks hosts a range of domestic and international companies, including Heidelberg Materials, British Steel, bp and Anglo American.

Teesworks has implemented various low carbon and net zero projects, including the £4bn Net Zero Teesside Power project, which will include a gas-fired power station built with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.

EOS already has several battery storage projects under construction in the UK, including a 230 MW facility in Newport, south Wales.

Peter Walker, director at EOS, said: “With so much renewable energy development planned for the site, such a supportive environment and such an experienced team in charge, it makes for the perfect location for our next battery storage facility.”

Teesworks expects the facility to take around 12 months to complete.