London, October 15, 2024—Highview Power has announced plans to develop a 2.5GWh Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) project, named Hunterston, in North Ayrshire, Scotland. The project will be located at Peel Ports and is set to become the world’s largest liquid air energy facility, significantly supporting Scotland’s renewable energy goals.
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney MSP, welcomed Highview Power executives at Scotland House in London on October 14. “The creation of the largest liquid air energy facility in the world, in Ayrshire, demonstrates Scotland’s pivotal role in delivering a low-carbon future while supporting the global transition to net zero,” Swinney stated. He also emphasized the project’s potential to create hundreds of skilled jobs and contribute to Scotland’s economic and sustainable development.
A Breakthrough in Long-Duration Energy Storage
The Hunterston project marks the first in Highview Power’s second phase of development. Following the success of a 300MWh LAES project in Manchester, this new facility will be eight times larger, providing enough power to supply 650,000 homes for 12.5 hours. The project is expected to play a critical role in supporting offshore wind energy storage and addressing grid constraints in Scotland.
Richard Butland, CEO of Highview Power, stated, “The Hunterston project will be transformational for Scotland, providing essential offshore wind storage, resolving grid constraints, and delivering significant investment to Ayrshire and the surrounding region.”
Supporting Renewable Energy and Grid Stability
The project will be built in two phases: the first phase will focus on grid connection and infrastructure for grid stability services, while the second phase will involve the full LAES system buildout. Highview Power has already secured planning permission for the first phase and is working toward approval for the second.
The UK government’s recent announcement of a cap-and-floor mechanism for Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) projects is seen as critical to making large-scale LDES projects commercially viable. Highview Power’s LAES technology is expected to unlock the potential of renewable energy, stabilize the grid, and help deliver a 100% zero-carbon electricity system by 2030.
During the construction of the Hunterston project, it is expected to create 1,000 on-site jobs and an additional 650 jobs in the supply chain.
Looking Ahead
Highview Power’s second phase will also include a project in Aberdeenshire, strategically positioned to support the onshoring of renewable energy from the North Sea and address grid stability needs in the region. More details on this next phase will be released in the coming months.
Highview Power’s £300 million (US$392 million) funding round in June, led by the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) and Centrica, included investments from Sumitomo, Rio Tinto, Goldman Sachs, KIRKBI, and Mosaic Capital, underscoring the strong support for its innovative energy storage solutions.
