EOS agrees Teesworks deal
Specialist firm Energy Optimisation Solutions will build a £62m battery energy storage system on a three-acre plot in the Long Acres section of the 2,500-acre development area.
The facility could enable up to 100MW of additional green energy to be plugged into the National Grid.
Over the course of a year, the EOS facility will help cut carbon emissions by 4,000 metric tons, the Tees Valley Combined Authority said.
Battery storage technology is a key part of the UK’s decarbonisation plan, featuring storage systems that enable energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind to be stored and then released when the power is needed most.
The EOS agreement adds to the projects in the pipeline at Teesworks. At various stages, these include plans for blue and green hydrogen production plants and the Net Zero Teesside carbon capture utilisation and storage project.
Renewables developer NatPower recently revealed its own plans to build a 1GW battery energy storage system at Teesworks.
Teesworks Ltd chairman Chris Musgrave said: “This latest agreement will further enhance Teesworks’ credentials as a leading UK centre for the transition to Net Zero.
“Battery storage is an essential component in ensuring that energy needs can be met from renewable sources regardless of weather conditions. We’re looking forward to working with the team at EOS to bring their technology to Teesworks.”
An application for planning permission for the development is currently being finalised by EOS. If permission is granted, it is anticipated that building the battery storage facility would take around 12 months.
EOS has a number of battery storage projects already under way in the UK, including a 230MW facility at Newport in South Wales.
Peter Walker, director at EOS, said: “We’re really looking forward to coming to Teesworks.
“With so much renewable energy development planned for the site, such a supportive environment and such an experienced team in charge, it makes for the ideal location for our next battery storage facility.
“If we as a country are going to hit our Net Zero ambitions then energy storage is absolutely essential. You can store water in reservoirs and gas in gasometers and LPG form so you can use those resources when you need them. Battery storage systems mean that you can do the same thing with energy generated from renewable sources.”
The planned site for the EOS facility is at the south-west corner of the Teesworks site. It adjoins the area where hydrogen production facilities HyGreen Teesside, a BP project, and H2 Teesside and the Net Zero Teesside project are being prepared.
Led by bp and aiming to start production in 2026, HyGreen Teesside is planned to be one of the UK’s biggest green hydrogen facilities. H2 Teesside, again led by bp, is planned to be one of the UK’s largest blue hydrogen production facilities.
