Highview Power Unveils 2.5GWh Liquid Air Energy Storage Project in Scotland

Highview Power announces a groundbreaking 2.5GWh liquid air energy storage project in Scotland. The Hunterston project will support Scotland's renewable energy infrastructure and help solve grid constraints.

Highview Power, a leader in long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions, has announced its latest large-scale energy storage project in Scotland. The 2.5GWh Hunterston project, which will use the company’s innovative Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) technology, marks a significant step forward in the UK's renewable energy infrastructure.

Hunterston: A Groundbreaking LDES Project

Located at Peel Ports in North Ayrshire, Scotland, the Hunterston project is set to become the largest liquid air energy storage facility in the world. This ambitious 2.5GWh project will provide essential grid stability services, offering critical storage for Scotland's growing offshore wind energy capacity. Planning permission has already been secured for the grid connection and infrastructure needed for the first phase, but the full LAES system build-out is still awaiting approval.

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, expressed strong support for the project during a recent announcement in London. "The creation of the largest liquid air energy facility in the world, in Ayrshire, demonstrates just how valuable Scotland is in delivering a low carbon future as well as supporting the global transition to net zero," he said.

A Boost for Scotland’s Energy Transition

The Hunterston project is part of Highview Power’s second phase of project development. It follows the company’s first large-scale LAES project in Manchester, which has a capacity of 300MWh and secured £300 million in funding earlier this year. The second phase includes four projects, totaling 4GWh of energy storage capacity, with Hunterston being the largest among them.

Highview Power CEO Richard Butland highlighted the project's transformative impact on Scotland’s energy landscape: “This project will be transformational for Scotland in providing critical storage for offshore wind and solving grid constraints as well as delivering major investment in Ayrshire, and the wider region.”

Government Support and the Path Ahead

Highview Power's announcement comes just days after the UK government confirmed plans to launch a cap-and-floor mechanism for long-duration energy storage projects. This support scheme is seen as crucial for the commercial viability of large-scale LDES projects, like Hunterston, by providing financial security for investors.

Highview Power has been working on scaling up its LAES technology for several years. A 5MW/15MWh demonstrator plant has been operational since 2018, showcasing the potential of liquid air technology to store energy efficiently over long periods. The Hunterston project, once completed, will solidify the UK’s position as a leader in energy storage innovation and bolster its renewable energy infrastructure, particularly in wind energy.