First Minister John Swinney hails new Hunterston project

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 facility will be located on land owned by Peel Ports, for which Highview Power has already secured development rights and grid connection for the first phase of the project.

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

First Minister John Swinney meets Highview Power Executives as project launch promises to deliver a major boost for the region, underpinning Scottish renewables generation and transforming grid stability. (Image: Highview Power)

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.

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.

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.

First Minister John Swinney welcomed executives to Scotland House in London yesterday as the company announced its intention to develop its Hunterston project as part of its multi-billion-pound programme across the UK.

Design image of how the new Liquid air energy storage plant will look (Image: Newsquest)

Hunterston will deliver five times Scotland’s current operational battery storage capacity and is strategically placed in the grid transmission network to maximise the use of Scottish-produced renewable electricity.

Supported by the Scottish Government, Hunterston is the first project in Highview Power’s second phase, which comprises four projects across Scotland and Northern England.

The 2.5GWh liquid air energy storage plant at Hunterston will deliver an eight-fold increase in storage capacity on Carrington – to deliver enough power for 650,000 homes for 12.5 hours.

Mr Swinney 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.

“Scotland presents a unique environment for innovation and deployment of storage technologies and this ground-breaking project will bring hundreds of high skilled jobs to the region both during construction and afterwards in supporting the supply chain.”

The plant will be built in two stages; the first will be the grid connection and works to provide grid stability services; the second phase will be a full liquid air energy storage build-out - the planning process will now commence for the second phase.

MSP Kenneth Gibson hails jobs boost (Image: Newsquest)

Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson said: "Following on from XLCC, over the next few years Hunterston is set to become a key location in the renewables revolution, creating and sustaining over 1,000 skilled and well paid jobs on site and hundreds - potentially thousands - more in the supply chain.

“Such developments will not only boost the economies of North Ayrshire and Scotland, they will provide a major boost to tackling climate change.

“Full consultation with local communities on these proposals to minimise any potentially adverse impacts at an early stage is absolutely crucial and I will certainly press that in my discussions with Highview Power.”