Proposed energy storage plant could create 300 construction jobs
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A multimillion-pound energy storage plant which is being planned in Caithness could create 300 jobs during its two-year construction phase, according to the company behind the project.
Highview Power, a London-based business specialising in long-duration energy storage, wants to create the plant at Spittal in an unused quarry owned by local firm, A &D Sutherland.
The five-acre site – to the north of Spittal Mains quarry – would deliver 49.9 megawatts of electricity for up to six hours, providing enough power for 120,000 homes. It would require 10 permanent staff for operations and maintenance work.
The technology proposed for the Albannach Power initiative works by taking ambient air from the atmosphere, removing the carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas – and particulates and cooling it to liquid form. It is then stored on site in insulated low pressure vessels. At times of demand, the liquid air is evaporated, heated and expanded through a turbine to generate electricity.
The plant would connect to the grid by an underground cable via the nearby Spittal sub-station.
The plan was yesterday welcomed by Ron Gunn, the new chairman of the Association of Caithness Community Councils.
He said: "We will have to wait and see how it progresses but it sounds very interesting and would be great if 300 jobs are created during the construction phase. If it proceeds I would hope the jobs would benefit as many local people as possible. The 10 permanent jobs would also be good and be a benefit to the county."
Mr Gunn added: "It would useful if this plan could help solve the problem of energy storage."
The company says the development would consist of cylindrical storage tanks at a maximum height of 45 metres, along with a charger (air liquefier), liquid storage tanks, a generator, control room and ancillary plant. The taller structures would be located within existing deeper parts of the quarry.
A&D Sutherland would assist with the site preparation and all relevant surveys would be undertaken, Highview Power adds.
The company intends to minimise visual impact by locating the plant away from the road. Forestry and low maintenance habitat are also being considered.
Additional traffic would be generated during the construction phase but the company claims the project will have minimal environmental impact.
The scheme could remove between 150,000 and 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year and help Scotland meets its decarbonisation goals, according to Highview Power. The technology uses "benign materials with zero emissions," it claims.
A planning application is to be submitted to Highland Council following a public consultation which is due to take place in June.
The company received a £10 million UK government grant in 2020 to develop a similar plant at Carrington, near Manchester.
As one of Europe’s largest battery storage systems, it will supply clean, reliable and cost-efficient long-duration energy storage and grid services, the company says.
Work is under way at the site in Manchester which is expected to go into commercial operation in 2022.
