Technology group Wärtsilä has secured a contract to supply a 68 MW battery energy storage system for the Shetland Standby Project, a key initiative aimed at bolstering energy resilience in Shetland, Scotland. The Engineered Equipment Delivery (EEQ) contract was awarded by Zenobē, the UK’s leading grid-scale battery storage operator, with the system scheduled to go live in 2026. The order was booked in Q2 2025.
Designed to support Shetland’s transition to a cleaner and more reliable energy system, the project will allow the Lerwick Power Station to move into a standby role, cutting fossil fuel use and enabling greater integration of local wind power. In the event of transmission line outages or maintenance, the battery system will ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to homes and businesses.
The advanced system will deliver Distribution Fault Ride Through (DFRT) and standby services for Shetland’s mainland interconnector, maintaining grid stability during faults. It will be managed by Wärtsilä’s GEMS Digital Energy Platform, which enables rapid, intelligent responses to fluctuations in energy demand and supply.
“This project highlights the critical role of energy storage in maintaining grid security,” said Tamara De Gruyter, President of Wärtsilä Energy Storage. James Basden, Zenobē Founder Director, added, “This is a major step in Shetland’s clean energy transition, reducing fossil fuel reliance while improving supply resilience.”
The Shetland Standby Project is the third collaboration between Wärtsilä and Zenobē, following projects in Blackhillock (200 MW / 400 MWh) and Kilmarnock (300 MW / 600 MWh). It will use Wärtsilä’s Quantum technology and include a 15-year long-term service agreement.
