In a significant leap towards achieving a sustainable energy future, Pacific Green’s battery storage project, owned by the Sosteneo Energy Transition Fund, has successfully connected to the electricity transmission network on the grounds of the former Richborough coal plant in Kent. The 100MW/100MWh battery, situated at the Richborough Energy Park, will play a pivotal role in enhancing the capacity and flexibility of the grid.
Managed by Pacific Green under a long-term asset management agreement, the battery is the first acquisition in the UK for the Sosteneo Energy Transition Fund. National Grid, after extensive work, has seamlessly integrated the facility into its 400kV Richborough substation, enabling it to absorb surplus clean electricity and discharge it when demand arises.
The battery’s capabilities extend to powering 250,000 homes for an hour, while also providing crucial grid stability services. This includes managing voltage and frequency imbalances during fluctuations in renewable generation, ensuring a smooth transition towards a cleaner energy system.
To facilitate a secure connection, National Grid upgraded the Richborough substation, implementing new switchgear and protection and control systems on its super grid transformer. The project was connected via a tertiary connection, a sophisticated yet cost-effective method.
Richborough substation, already hosting National Grid’s 1GW Nemo Link interconnector with Belgium, and the adjacent substation connecting the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm, position the battery to maximize the clean electricity potential of the region’s renewable projects.
Chris Twomey, COO & Head of Asset Management for Sosteneo, praised the collaborative efforts of Pacific Green and National Grid, stating, “We commend the work of Pacific Green and National Grid in bringing the Richborough Energy Park to life, helping establish our presence in the UK and representing an important milestone for our clients”
Scott Poulter, Chairman & CEO of Pacific Green, expressed “It’s been a pleasure to work with the National Grid to develop Richborough Energy Park, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with many more projects to come. Having taken control of the site in 2021, I’m proud at the speed and efficiency with which my team has steered the project to financial close in summer 2022, first energisation a year later, full energisation last month, and now into commercial operation.”
Stuart Jones, Portfolio Director for the Customer Connection South Region at National Grid Electricity Transmission, stated “Battery storage has a crucial role to play in delivering a net zero energy system in Britain, so connecting projects like Pacific Green’s at Richborough Energy Park to our transmission network marks key progress on our country’s clean energy journey. Given the Richborough site’s history, it’s apt that it’s becoming a pivotal part of our network for the energy transition, with our substation connecting clean electricity projects like batteries and interconnectors – all of which are helping Britain harness increasing volumes of renewable power into the future.”
The Richborough site itself embodies the transition from old to new, standing on the land where a coal power station once operated until its demolition in 2012. The former coal plant, a vital component of Britain’s early super grid, is now replaced by cutting-edge green technologies supporting the nation’s net-zero ambitions.
National Grid’s extensive redevelopment of the site, which included building the converter station for Nemo Link, has transformed it into a key hub for clean electricity projects. The Richborough Connection project completed in 2021 marked a significant step forward in integrating the subsea link into the electricity transmission network.
National Grid’s commitment to innovation and evolution through projects like The Great Grid Upgrade underscores their dedication to supporting Britain’s net-zero goals.
