Shell Energy Europe Limited (SEEL) has agreed a multi-year power offtake deal that enables the installation of Europe’s biggest battery. The 100-megawatt (MW) Minety power storage project in south-west England, which is backed by China Huaneng Group and Chinese sovereign wealth fund CNIC, is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. The two 50-MW batteries will enable SEEL and Shell subsidiary Limejump to optimise the use of renewable power in the area.

“Projects like this will be vital for balancing the UK’s electricity demand and supply as wind and solar power play bigger roles in powering our lives,” David Wells, Vice President of SEEL, said. “Batteries are uniquely suited to optimising power supplies as the UK moves towards net-zero carbon system.”

Batteries are expected to play a key part in the transition to a low-carbon energy system by absorbing excess energy when supply exceeds demand in some areas, then supplying that power to the grid when needed.

Limejump, a wholly-owned Shell subsidiary that manages the largest network of batteries in the UK, will optimise the use of Europe’s biggest battery through its pioneering Virtual Power Platform.