Work set to start on groundbreaking battery plant at Swindon

A major project to store solar energy in Swindon is expected to start soon.

Public Power Solutions, a wholly-owned company of Swindon Borough Council, and Still Waters Green Technology, a leading independent battery energy storage system asset manager in the UK, say they will start work soon the next phase of their flagship 30 megawatt utility-scale, subsidy-free energy storage project near Mannington retail park.

The battery plant will store excess energy produced by nearby solar farms when it is abundant – and therefore cheaper – and discharge it when demand is greater and the cost is higher. It therefore supports the growth of renewable energy sources critical to meeting the UK’s carbon emission reduction targets.

Connecting large batteries to the National Grid helps to smooth out the peaks and troughs which occur in power demand, and match them better with variable supply.

The technology also helps reduce the need for expensive investment in upgrading the grid, also helping reduce energy costs for consumers in the long run.

Bernie Brannan, managing director of Public Power Solutions, said: ““We’re very pleased to be moving forward with this exciting technology thanks to our agreement with Still Waters.

“Battery storage is playing an increasingly important role in the UK’s energy infrastructure as more and more renewable energy projects are coming online.

“This project will help the Borough in its efforts to ‘build back greener’ boosting the local economic recovery, provide an income for Swindon Borough Council, and contribute to the decarbonisation of the UK’s energy sector.”

Cllr Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for climate change, said: “The Mannington Battery storage scheme is a big step towards Swindon’s goal of being Carbon Neutral and eliminating the reliance on fossil fuels to supply electricity during peak periods.

“This privately-funded partnership demonstrates the commercial viability of schemes like this and I am proud that Swindon is at the forefront of such innovations in the UK.”