Zenobē announces Europe’s biggest battery with 100MW battery project in Capenhurst, the first battery to absorb reactive power directly from the grid.

The project will be the world’s first battery to absorb reactive power directly from the grid, helping stabilise the system and enable further adoption of renewable power sources.

• The 100MW battery will be the first in the world to absorb reactive power directly from a transmission network, and the largest grid-connected battery in Europe.
• The largest battery in Europe when commissioned to connect on a transmission network at 275,000 volts.
• The project is the first in England to receive planning permission under the revised planning regime allowing battery projects over 50MW to bypass the national planning process, making it more than double the size of any other project in England.
• The site will power Mersey and the surrounding areas with a reliable reactive power service, delivering clean and secure energy at a substantially lower cost to consumers.
• Over the next 15 years, the project is forecast to remove 1,343,676 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to removing 44,289 cars of the road a year*.

Zenobē Energy, the UK’s leading independent owner and operator of battery storage, today announces Europe’s biggest battery with its 100MW battery project in Capenhurst, Chester. The battery is due to be operational in April 2022 and will be the first in the world to absorb reactive power directly from a transmission network to help manage voltage levels and accelerate the UK’s uptake of renewable energy.

Setting a precedent for future projects globally, this is a huge step for the UK as it focuses on building back greener and drives towards its net-zero by 2050 pledge. As the UK continues to adopt renewable power generation, managing voltage levels and ensuring reactive power management is vital. Over the next 15 years, the project is forecast to remove 1,343,676 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to removing 44,289 cars of the road a year*.

The Capenhurst project was commissioned as a direct response to the National Grid’s pathfinder programme, seeking to solve the challenge of reactive energy management through the use of innovative technology.

The project is also the first of its kind to be approved under the new revised planning regime. Designed to help bring sustainable solutions onto the grid, the change allows batteries larger than 50MW to be granted planning permission locally rather than by the national approval body.

James Basden, Co-Founder and Director at Zenobē Energy, said:

“This is an incredibly exciting day for not just Zenobē, but the UK. The Capenhurst project is a great example of the pioneering solutions businesses like ours can bring to the table when industry innovation is encouraged by up-to-date legislation.

“As we move to a cleaner energy system, batteries like this one will play a vital role in stabilising the grid and ultimately enabling a greener, more sustainable, Britain. We will look to replicate this solution nationwide, working with government and industry to stabilise the UK energy system, push energy prices down and ensure an emission-free future”.

The project is the first deployment of the £150 million investment in Zenobē from Infracapital, the infrastructure equity investment arm of M&G Plc, which was announced last year as part of Zenobē’s aim to accelerate the UK’s transition to a green energy system. The battery will double Zenobē’s stationary battery capacity, maintaining the course to have 1000MW capacity by 2026.

Zenobē’s project will optimise the absorption of reactive power as well as operating the active power services concurrently. The design of the Capenhurst site has been specially crafted to ensure there is limited disruption to the local community. As part of the development, several habitat enhancement areas will also be built.

NOTES TO EDITORS

 * This number was updated on 10/12/24, in-line with our most up-to-date reporting methodology. Learn more here.

For further information, please contact:

Press Team: Zenobē@standagency.com

About Zenobe Energy Ltd. (Zenobē):

Zenobē Energy is one of the largest independent owners and operators of battery storage with c. 170MW of contracted storage assets, around 20% market share of the EV bus sector, its own proprietary software and a large portfolio of projects in the pipeline. Zenobē provides intelligent flexible power solutions to commercial EV fleet operators, utilities and industrial and commercial businesses. The company’s battery storage services help clients manage power more effectively so they can lower costs, improve resilience and reduce their environmental impact.

Learn more about Zenobē’s Network Infrastructure Solutions.