The Skelton Grange site, where 100MW of battery storage is to be constructed. Image: Catalyst Capital
European investor Catalyst Capital has acquired a site in Yorkshire for the development of a 100MW battery facility as part of its £300 million battery storage strategy.
The leasehold interest in the brownfield site at the former Skelton Grange power station has been acquired from renewable energy developer Referent by Catalyst Energy Storage Platform (CESP).
Planning permission for the 100MW battery energy storage system (BESS) was granted last year, with the construction tendering process for the asset being managed by CESP’s engineering adviser Fitchner. It is expected to be operational in Q4 2022, and is to be part of a regional hub for renewable energy. It is adjacent to a 19.5 acre waste-to-energy facility currently under construction.
The 100MW Skelton BESS forms part of Catalyst's £300 million diversified battery storage facility strategy, with the company having last year entered a joint venture with Dowling LLP to acquire a 50MW facility in Nursling, Southampton.
This energy storage site is expected to be fully operational in February, while Catalyst is in talks with investors to jointly fund the expansion of the battery storage platform.
Kean Hird, partner of Catalyst Capital, said that the company believes there is a compelling opportunity to deliver a portfolio of UK battery storage, with the sector "quickly gaining institutional status".
"This portfolio will give our investors the opportunity to invest into a scalable market with high ESG credentials in the renewables sector," Hird said.