Largest liquid air energy facility in the world to be built in Ayrshire

The First Minister, John Swinney MSP, has welcomed the planned development of the ‘world’s largest’ liquid air LDES project, which will be based in Ayrshire.

Highview Power has revealed its second planned long-duration energy storage (LDES) project using its liquid air energy storage (LAES) technology, in Scotland, UK.

The project, announced this week, will support 1,000 jobs onsite during construction and 650 jobs in the supply chain by 2030.

The major long-duration energy storage project, once completed, will make a substantial contribution to the Scottish renewable energy sector, offering much-needed storage and grid stability at a crucial location within the UK’s transmission network.

The company is developing a 2.5GWh project, called Hunterston, on a site in Peel Ports in North Ayrshire, Scotland. The first step is to build the grid connection and infrastructure for grid stability services, for which planning permission has been secured, while the full LAES system buildout still requires planning permission, which the company will now work towards securing.

First minister for Scotland, John Swinney MSP, welcomed Highview Power Executives to Scotland House in London yesterday (14 October) as part of the announcement. He said:

“The creation of the largest liquid air energy facility in the world, in Ayrshire, demonstrates just how valuable Scotland is in delivering a low carbon future as well as supporting the global transition to net zero.”

Highview Power has developed its liquid air energy storage technology in the UK over the last 17 years.

The technology can store renewable energy for up to several weeks, longer than battery technologies, and is ready to be deployed across key grid locations at scale today. By capturing and storing excess renewable energy, which is now the cheapest form of electricity, storage can help keep energy costs from spiralling, and power Britain’s homes with 24/7 renewable clean energy.

The company's technology will also provide stability services to the National Grid, which will allow for the long-term replacement of fossil fuel-based power plants for system support.

Richard Butland, CEO of Highview Power, said.

“This project will be transformational for Scotland in providing critical storage for offshore wind and solving grid constraints as well as delivering major investment in Ayrshire, and the wider region.”

Lewis McIntyre, Managing Director Port Services at Peel Ports Group said:

“Scotland already has the reputation, infrastructure and talent needed to support offshore renewable energy projects and meet our national aspirations for the environment and green jobs – we can make that vision a reality if businesses like ours are willing to invest and work together to make it happen.

“Our plans for Hunterston reflect our ambitions for a net-zero future, supporting offshore wind developments along the west coast of the UK and the east coast of Ireland, as well as supporting our local construction partners.”