Blackhillock battery energy storage project, developed by Zenobe in Scotland, is operational as of 2026. Following the successful commissioning of its first 200MW phase in March 2025, the project is now advancing toward full 300MW/600MWh capacity. Blackhillock BESS was also Europe’s largest grid-scale battery and the world’s first to deliver full stability services at transmission level at the time of commissioning.

Blackhillock now works actively to reduce wind curtailment from major offshore wind farms. The BESS also provide synthetic inertia, voltage control, and balancing services – all capabilities traditionally delivered by fossil fuel plants. This will be alongside other battery energy storage project in Scotland such as Matrix Renewables’ 500MW/1GWh BESS in Eccles that recently close £245 million in non-recourse financing.

Fact Sheet for Blackhillock Battery Energy Storage Project by Zenobe in Scotland

Project Name: Blackhillock Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

Developer/Owner/Operator: Zenobe

Location: Blackhillock, between Inverness and Aberdeen

Total Capacity: 300MW/600MWh

Battery Duration: 2-hour

Phase 1: 200MW/400MWh

Operational Date: March 2025 (Phase 1)

Phase 2: Additional 100MW ongoing through 2026

Technology: Lithium-ion BESS with grid-forming inverters

Key Function:

• Grid stability through synthetic inertia, voltage support
• Renewable integration
• Energy arbitrage and balancing services

Strategic Role: Transmission-level flexibility asset supporting UK Clean Power 2030

Project Timeline

Feb 2023: Construction begins

2024: Stability Pathfinder contract secured

March 2025: Phase 1 at 200MW enters operation

2025 through 2026: Expansion toward full 300MW capacity

2026: Project functioning as one of Europe’s largest operational battery, delivering stability services at scale

Project Team

Developer/Owner/Operator

• Zenobe

Technology Provider

• Wartsila – Quantum battery system and GEMS platform

Grid Infrastructure Connection

• Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)

Route-to-Market

• EDF

System Operator

• National Energy System Operator (NESO)

Investors

• KKR
• Infracapital

Construction Starts on 300MW/600MWh Battery Energy Storage in Blackhillock, Scotland

Reported Feb 21, 2023 – Construction work has begun on a 300MW/600MWh battery energy storage in Blackhillock, Scotland. Developed by Zenobē Energy, the facility will be located midway between the cities of Aberdeen and Inverness.

The company said the battery energy storage in Blackhillock will be the first in the world to deliver stability services using a transmission-connected battery.  This is a significant step towards the company’s goal of bringing 1 GW of battery energy storage to Scotland.

Wärtsilä, H&MV, SMA Solar Technology AG, and GE Grid Solutions are the projects primary suppliers.

The battery asset’s capacity, when fully operational, will be 300MW/600MWh. The first phase will see 200MW created and is planned to go live in the summer of 2024. The second phase will develop an extra 100MW and will go live in 2026.

The project will facilitate offshore wind farms at Viking and Beatrice. Thus, it will increase the use of renewable energy in the area.

US$284.8 Million Financing Announcement that Preceded the Battery Energy Storage in Blackhillock

The UK energy storage and e-mobility expert recently obtained a £235 million (US$284.8 million) long-term debt facility from five banks, which precedes the announcement.

According to Zenobe, the new debt financing is provided by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Rabobank, Santander UK, Siemens Financial Services through Siemens Bank, and NatWest. It is also the largest project finance facility for battery storage projects in Europe.

Read Also: Plans set for construction of ABS60, a 100MWh sodium solid state ESS battery plant in Germany.

Along with Blackhillock, the money will be used towards the company’s Kilmarnock South project, with a capacity of 200MW/400MWh. Kilmarnock South could also be increased by 100MW/200MWh, similar to Blackhillock.

Additionally, the agreement contains a £400 million accordion facility. Thus, it will be used to finance debt expansions at each site and upcoming projects. This will enable Zenobē to scale up its entire battery storage portfolio in Scotland to over 1GW/2GWh by 2026.

Zenobē recently announced the beginning of delivering reactive power services to the grid using its 100MW/107MWh Capenhurst battery energy storage system. According to Zenob, the Capenhurst BESS in Chester is the biggest battery project directly connected to the transmission grid in Europe.