Morrison Energy Services marks start of construction on SSE’s largest battery storage project

11th October 2024

On 8 October 2024, our team came together to commemorate the beginning of the construction of SSE’s largest battery storage project.

The 320 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) at Monk Fryston, North Yorkshire, is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and could power close to half a million homes for up to two hours at a time.

Andy Clark, Contract Director at Morrison Energy Services and other members of our team joined representatives from SSE Renewables and energy storage supplier, Sungrow Ltd, to mark this significant project milestone with the planting of a ceremonial tree near the entrance to the site.

Commencing on site in the spring of this year, our team has made significant progress in preparing for the upcoming construction. Throughout our preparation of site, we have been innovative across our methodology and ensured minimum impact to the environment, including the implementation of a cutting-edge soil stabilisation solution, which transformed subsoil into a base that’s as hard as concrete but sustainable.

Donnie Whyte, Managing Director at Morrison Energy Services, said: “ Following our team commencing on site in the spring of this year, we have made significant progress in preparing the site for the upcoming works. We have been innovative across our construction methodology and ensured minimum impact to the environment and carbon footprint across all of our activities.

“We look forward to continuing to work with SSE Renewables, Sungrow and our supply chain partners to deliver the upcoming phases of works, including the extensive civils construction and complex electrical infrastructure associated with such a large-scale energy storage facility.”

Heather Donald, Head of Onshore Wind, Solar & Battery, SSE Renewables, said: “It’s fantastic to have construction underway on our largest battery storage project at Monk Fryston, and to have been joined by our project partners Morrison Construction and Sungrow Ltd to mark the occasion.

“To be constructing a battery project of this size and scale is a huge testament to how far we have come in such a short space of time, with our first 50MW battery asset at Salisbury entering full operations earlier this year.

“Battery storage projects like this one at Monk Fryston will be vital in reaching the nation’s net zero targets, providing flexibility to the grid when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind isn’t blowing.”

Construction at Monk Fryston is expected to be completed by early 2026.

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