TagEnergy energises UK’s largest transmission-connected BESS

TagEnergy's Lakeside battery energy storage system (BESS) has become the largest transmission-connected BESS in the UK, located in Drax, North Yorkshire, England. 

The 100 MW/200 MWh facility has been fully energised, marking a significant milestone as TagEnergy's first project connected directly to the National Grid's transmission network.

The completion of the energisation was achieved by the project’s onsite team alongside National Grid engineers, following a successful commissioning switching program. TagEnergy, a global clean energy enterprise, owns and operates the facility entirely.

Tesla, the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor for the project, supplied a system of Tesla Megapack 2XL lithium-ion batteries. Habitat Energy is involved as the route to market and battery optimiser, and the independent renewable energy company RES has been appointed as the asset manager.

Franck Woitiez, Chief Executive Officer of TagEnergy, commented, “For a while, Lakeside will be the largest transmission-connected BESS project in the UK, and it is an important project that truly moves the needle for the energy transition.

“We’re proud to have delivered the project efficiently, energised and connected onto National Grid’s transmission network without significant delays or operating issues. That is exactly what is needed to speed the transition.

“We’re pleased to be working with our Lakeside project partners Habitat Energy, Tesla and RES to realise the full value of battery storage by connecting more people to more renewable power in our relentless pursuit of net zero.”

The project, fully acquired by TagEnergy from RES in December 2021, began construction in August 2023 and achieved financial close with a significant non-recourse debt package in October 2023.