SSE’s first battery energy storage system (BESS) project at Salisbury in Wiltshire is now fully operational.

The 50MW / 100MWh BESS project, which could power more than 80,000 homes for two hours at times of peak demand, is the first operational battery site in SSE’s portfolio.

The asset is now trading in Great Britain’s wholesale energy market following the recent completion of final energisation tests at the site. 

SSE says battery storage plays a key role in unlocking the path to net zero because of its ability to hold and release energy when most needed.

MP for Salisbury John Glen  who also serves as Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, officially marked the asset reaching this major milestone at a ceremony held at the site.

Construction of the 26-battery unit project began on a site next to the old Quidhampton Quarry at Salisbury in 2022 in conjunction with project partners, technology group Wärtsilä.

Now operational, the BESS asset can store up to 100MWh of energy for flexible dispatch when needed to the National Grid. 

When called upon, the system can operate for up to two hours at a time at times of peak demand.

John Glen MP said: “This welcome investment means supply of energy from renewable sources is reliable. Salisbury is leading the way as we continue our journey to net zero.”

Salisbury BESS is now SSE Renewables’ flagship operational battery site and will make an important contribution to the delivery of SSE plc’s Net Zero Acceleration Programme, a fully funded five-year investment plan which will see SSE Renewables investing over £7bn to 2027, or almost £4m a day on average, to deliver the low carbon infrastructure that will support the transition to net zero, including new battery storage technology.

In addition to Salisbury, SSE Renewables is currently constructing a 150MW battery project in Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire, which is due to complete in the first half of next year, and a 320MW battery project in Monk Fryston, North Yorkshire, which will be able to deliver flexible energy at scale once completed in up to two years’ time.

Richard Cave-Bigley, director of development and construction – solar and battery, said: “It’s with great pride that our first battery storage project at Salisbury is now fully operational, a huge milestone for everybody at SSE Renewables.

“Being a first-of-a-kind project for SSE, the project team has done a tremendous job throughout construction, and I’d like to congratulate everybody involved for their efforts to get to this stage, and I’d like to thank our project partners, Wärtsilä, for their work.

"Salisbury BESS will be a fantastic asset for SSE Renewables and our growing operational portfolio."