Sembcorp Energy UK has announced plans to build Europe’s largest battery at its site at Wilton International on Teesside. The company says that this site has available land and connections ready to enable swift instalment of the 360MW battery, which will be built in tranches.

Sembcorp currently operates 70MW of batteries, with a further 50MW due to be operational in early 2022.
It also announced plans earlier this year for a 300MW gas-fired power plant at the same site, ‘Whitetail Clean Energy’, that uses natural gas burned in oxygen with a semi closed-loop to capture carbon emissions. Should all these developments proceed, SEUK’s total energy portfolio would be expected to total over 1.6GW, with almost half a gigawatt being supplied by batteries
Andy Koss, CEO of UK & Middle East, Sembcorp Industries, said, “The location of 360MW of batteries at Wilton International strengthens Teesside’s green regeneration and position as a hub of low-carbon innovation in the North East.”

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor said: “This is fantastic news that further cements our region’s reputation as ground zero for net zero. This investment will add 70 cleaner, healthier and safer jobs to the thousands we are already delivering across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool as we develop the critical technologies that are needed to make the UK net zero by 2050. Since the Industrial Revolution the ingenuity of Teessiders has spearheaded the development of new technologies. With this announcement, which will see the creation of Europe’s largest battery on the Wilton site, the message is clear: if you want to pioneer low-carbon innovation then come to Teesside.”