Orsted approves 300 MW / 600 MWh BESS at Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm

Wind farm developer Orsted has taken a final investment decision on a 300 MW / 600 MWh capacity battery energy storage system -- sufficient to meet the daily energy use of 80,000 British homes -- for co-location with its Hornsea 3 offshore windfarm in the North Sea off UK.

The battery will store excess electricity generated on sunny and windy days for use in peak or evening hours, when such modes of renewable energy generation are inactive. It is expected to become operational by the end of 2026. Batteries help balance the variations between demand and supply of power.

The project will use Megapack grid-scale batteries from Tesla, which will be installed at the onshore converter station for Hornsea 3, in Swardeston, near Norwich.

Duncan Clark, head of UK and Ireland, Orsted, said: "This maximises the potential of renewable energy while providing increased energy security and value to consumers."

Clark added: "Our 12 existing UK offshore windfarms are providing a huge amount of clean energy to the grid. The battery will help ensure that renewable energy is used in the best possible way by storing it when demand is lower and then releasing it back into the system when it's really needed."

Mike Snyder, senior director of Megapack at Tesla, said the project demonstrated the value and flexibility of the company's power electronics, "providing enhanced grid stability and enabling more renewables on the grid."