Environmental infrastructure investors JLEN and Foresight Solar Fund are going halves on the purchase of a 50MW lithium ion battery project set for Buchan, Abderdeenshire.
Clayfords Energy Storage Limited holds development rights to install a 50MW plant. The deal includes a confirmed connection from transmission network operator Scottish Power. JLEN is committed to spending £14.1 million to light up the facility for commercial operation in late 2024.
Today’s seller is Hamilton-based Intelligent Land Investment Group, headed by Mark Wilson, which claims 96 consents out of its first 100 applications for onshore wind projects. Today’s deal was arranged alongside Foresight Solar Fund.
JLEN has stakes in four battery storage systems, two at grid scale. The Buchan project adds to its two co-located batteries in river hydro, and to two standalone projects bought in 2021, at West Gourdie in Scotland and a 50MW Sandridge battery project at Melksham Wiltshire. It bought Sandridge in May last year, committing to spend up to £12.7 million
JLEN originated from construction firm and infrastructure John Laing Group.
Richard Ramsay, its senior independent director, commented: ” We continue to believe that (such) these projects play an important role in the decarbonisation agenda by providing balancing support to the local network and allowing for greater levels of renewable generation.
“They can also augment the capacity on the grid during times of high demand which helps to support our energy security needs.”
