Zenobē has officially secured financial close and commenced construction on one of the UK’s most significant battery storage projects—the Eccles site in Scotland. Set to become operational in early 2027, this 400MW/800MWh energy storage system is poised to play a pivotal role in the UK’s ambitious Clean Power by 2030 strategy, reinforcing the nation’s transition to a low-carbon future.
The Eccles project represents a monumental shift in scale for grid-connected battery infrastructure. With this latest addition, Zenobē’s total live and contracted storage capacity in Scotland surges to 1.05GW—an extraordinary twentyfold increase since the launch of its 50MW Wishaw project in 2022. This rapid expansion underscores the escalating demand for grid stability solutions as the UK accelerates its reliance on renewable energy sources.
Securing funding for a project of this magnitude was no small feat. A staggering £220 million in debt financing—Zenobē’s most significant single-asset raise to date—has been successfully arranged by a syndicate of lenders led by National Westminster Bank Plc and KKR Capital Markets Partners LLP.
In a UK-first, the Eccles site will integrate Tesla’s Megapack 2 XL battery energy storage system, marking a critical advancement in grid stability technology. Equipped with Tesla’s cutting-edge grid-forming capabilities, already deployed in the US and Australia, the system will enable real-time monitoring, remote operation, and predictive diagnostics, enhancing performance and longevity.
Zenobē has enlisted OCU Group to oversee the balance of plant construction, including electrical and civil infrastructure. At the same time, Hyosung Heavy Industries will supply the super grid transformers, connecting the battery storage system to the transmission network.
Beyond energy storage, the Eccles project will deliver Stability Services through a dedicated contract with the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The site will contribute:
2,984MWs of inertia, amounting to nearly 40% of the inertia contracted in the 2022 Stability Pathfinder 2 tender
936MVA of short circuit level, reinforcing the reliability of an increasingly renewable-dependent grid
By efficiently storing and redistributing excess wind and solar power, the project is expected to save UK consumers an estimated £309 million over 15 years while preventing 4.9 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions from being released into the atmosphere.
As the UK marches toward its net-zero ambitions, large-scale battery storage projects like Eccles are no longer a luxury but a necessity. By optimizing energy distribution and mitigating renewable energy wastage, Zenobē is not just building infrastructure; it’s rewiring the future of Britain’s energy landscape.
With construction now underway, all eyes are on 2027—when Eccles will switch on and become a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy revolution.
Commenting, Zenobē’s Global Director of Network Infrastructure, Semih Oztreves, said, “Having just announced that we’ve gone live at Blackhillock, and with our 300MW/600 MWh Kilmarnock South battery on track to go live in 2026, achieving financial close on Eccles demonstrates the pace at which Zenobē Is working to deliver the Government’s Clean Power 2030 mission.
We look forward to working with Tesla, Hyosung Heavy Industries, and OCU Group experts to deliver this critical infrastructure. Zenobē is working to prevent not only unnecessary cost from the waste of renewable power but also to enhance the UK’s energy security by increasing the use of home grown power in these uncertain political times”.
Mike Snyder, Vice President of Energy & Charging at Tesla, said: “This is the first project in the UK using Tesla’s proven Grid-Forming technology – and demonstrating its efficacy at scale. Zenobē’s commitment to innovation and operational expertise make them a strong partner as we continue to develop and deploy new technologies to improve grid stability.”
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