A NEW project will see the decommissioned Fiddler’s Ferry power station site store power once again.

SSE Renewables is to build a 150MW battery energy storage system at the site of the former coal-fired power station in Cuerdley.

It closed and was decommissioned back in March 2020 after nearly 50 years in operation, with the site set to be transformed over the next decade and beyond after being earmarked for housing and industrial use.

Thousands of people attempted to watch four iconic cooling towers being demolished earlier this month, but much of the explosion was shrouded in fog.

The new battery storage project will be able to make use of the existing grid connection already in place.

Once completed, the battery storage facility at Fidder’s Ferry will be capable of running for up to two hours at a time.

When fully operational, the site will be capable of storing power for release back to the UK national grid when it is needed the most – helping to manage peaks of energy demand.

This flexibility helps balance energy supply and demand more effectively and maximise the potential of available renewable technology to power the grid – even when the sun is not shining, or the wind is not blowing.

Finlay McCutcheon, director of onshore renewables at SSE Renewables, said: “Taking a final investment decision at Fiddler’s Ferry is a fantastic way to round off a big year for our solar and battery business.

“We now have 670MW of battery projects in the UK that are in the construction phase, which is a significant increase from where we were twelve months ago.

“Battery storage has a vital role to play in helping the UK and Ireland decarbonise and our project team deserve huge credit for achieving this latest milestone at Fiddler’s Ferry.”

Richard Cave-Bigley, director of solar and battery, added: “It is very exciting to have taken a final investment decision for our 150MW Fiddler’s Ferry BESS project in Warrington.

“Our grid-scale battery at Fiddler’s Ferry will be built on what was a former SSE-owned coal-fired power station and highlights the transition away from fossil fuels towards a net zero future.

“Our solar and battery business continues to grow and thrive and this latest milestone at Fiddler’s Ferry is a great way to round off the year.”