Eelpower appoints Smith Brothers to power up Suffolk battery storage site

Specialist high voltage engineering firm Smith Brothers Contracting Ltd, has been appointed to provide ICP and EPC works at the new battery storage site for SUSI Partners and Eelpower’s joint venture in Halesworth, Suffolk.

Yorkshire-headquartered Smith Brothers will deliver a turnkey solution – from initial design and EPC works to final testing and commissioning. Once complete, the 132kV development will provide over 50MW of flexibility and balancing services to UK Power Networks (UKPN).

Acting as the independent connection provider (ICP), the contestable connection will see the team deliver a complete solution, from initial design and EPC works to testing and connection. Construction will take place later this year and, once complete, the development will be connected to UKPN via 250m of 132kV cabling.

Further to undertaking the contestable works as the ICP, Smith Brothers Contracting Ltd is responsible for all engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) works too – including balance of plant for the battery storage site.

Smith Brothers will receive, install, and commission the 28 battery storage units – as well as construct the supporting infrastructure for each, including AC and DC cabling across the whole site with project-specific SCADA panels for the customer to be able to remotely control the whole site.

“We’ve worked with Eelpower before and delivered successfully on similar schemes,” explained Smith Brothers contracts manager Alan Hoyle.

“The project is a vital investment into the region’s long-term energy future – and Smith Brothers will ensure that the work is completed on schedule and within budget.”

The delivery isn’t without challenges though, given “the relatively small footprint of the site means that construction work and site access needs to be well-managed,” continued Alan.

Mark Simon, Eelpower CEO, added, “Halesworth will be the first English 50MW that the SUSI Partners and Eelpower JV will energise later this year.  Smith Brothers have proved to be the sort of excellent and responsive partner on which we, and the nation’s electricity system, relies to deliver the energy transition. We look forward to working with them more in future.”