Constantine Energy Storage, a UK battery storage platform, has appointed Habitat Energy, a leading global optimiser of battery storage and renewable energy assets, to optimise three new transmission-connected battery energy storage systems in the UK.
The three projects, Ocker Hill, near Birmingham, Whitegate, near Manchester, and Monk Fryston, near Leeds, will each be 57MW, 2.7 hour battery energy storage systems, representing 171MW/462MWh of flexible capacity in total. All three assets are expected to be live by summer 2025.
This flexibility will play a vital role in enabling the UK to meet its target of operating a net zero power system by 2030, helping to integrate more renewables, balance electricity supply and demand, and increase system resilience.
Constantine Energy Storage was founded in 2021 by Constantine Group, with Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) and Railpen taking a 94% stake in 2022, to manage the construction and ownership of a portfolio of battery energy storage systems. The company has an initial portfolio of over 1.6GWh of grid-scale battery storage UK-wide with 770MWh in construction.
Habitat Energy has worked closely with Constantine Energy throughout the project lifecycle, and will lead the asset onboarding process, including acting as control point for the three batteries.
Once operational, Habitat Energy will use its fully integrated, end-to-end EVOLVE optimisation service to maximise revenue performance across wholesale trading, ancillary service markets and the Balancing Mechanism. This will be underpinned by an innovative contracting structure created by Habitat Energy to offer Constantine Energy Storage enhanced revenue certainty.
The agreement brings Habitat Energy’s portfolio of assets under contract to 2.8GW globally, including over 1.2GW in the UK.
Constantine Energy Storage is building a portfolio of battery energy storage systems across the UK. With over 2.5-hour duration systems, we are uniquely positioned to capitalise on new opportunities in the energy market. Through our combination of scale, location and deliverability we aim to be at the forefront of the energy transition, but we will only achieve this ambition working with expert partners we can trust.
Habitat Energy was engaged early on due to their commitment to collaboration and innovation, resonating with our own values. Combined with their depth of knowledge and insights, they have continually impressed us at every stage. We are confident this will translate into the performance they deliver from our assets once they are live.
”Mike Ryan, Commercial Director, Constantine Energy Storage Services
We’re thrilled to have partnered with Constantine Energy Storage to bring three of its first battery storage projects to market. Together we share a commitment to best in class performance and operating procedures as we seek to realise the full potential of their BESS projects.
Tansmission-connected assets carry significant complexity in terms of onboarding and operations. We’re proud to be recognised by Constantine for our exceptional track record and the sophistication of our approach. We look forward to maximising the lifetime value of their assets as we continue to push towards a net zero energy future in the UK and globally.
”Jon Doughty, Managing Director UK, Habitat Energy
Habitat Energy is a portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, a specialist investment manager focused exclusively on the infrastructure needed to drive the energy transition in the UK, US, and Australia.