The UKs biggest battery storage site goes live

The UK's largest battery energy storage system is now live in North Yorkshire. Located at Lakeside Energy Park in Drax, this 100MW facility can power around 30,000 homes daily across England and Wales. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) store renewable energy, like solar and wind, and release it when needed.

Mark Selvaratnam, the project manager, explained that Lakeside Energy Park will play an important role in the UK's goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This means the country aims to remove as much greenhouse gas from the atmosphere as it emits. The battery system will help achieve this by storing extra energy when renewable sources produce more than needed and then releasing it later to ensure continuous green energy supply.

This project is seen as a key step in the UK's clean energy transition, supporting its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of renewable energy.

The facility will provide round-the-clock power, even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, making renewable energy more reliable for homes and businesses.