Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Commits €270 Million to a 1.4 GWh Battery in Scotland

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has taken a final investment decision on Kilmarnock South, a 350 MW, 1,400 MWh battery in South Ayrshire, Scotland. The company is committing more than €270 million, and commercial operation is expected in the first quarter of 2028.

What was announced

CIP is investing through its CI IV fund. The project is a four-hour lithium-ion system, so it can deliver its full 350 MW for about four hours. Reports put the sum at roughly £232 million, which is the figure the UK Energy Minister, Michael Shanks, is quoted using.

Construction is already under way. The site was developed by Noriker Power, and Shell will optimise the battery for CIP under a deal that includes contracted revenues. Solar Power Portal says this is most likely a floor agreement, the most common type in the UK, though the companies have not said so themselves.

CIP's growing Scottish portfolio

Kilmarnock South is CIP's fourth large battery in Scotland. The earlier three are 500 MW, 1 GWh systems: Coalburn 1, Coalburn 2 and Devilla. According to Solar Power Portal, Coalburn 1 entered commercial operation in August, while Coalburn 2 and Devilla are expected in 2027 and 2028.

We could not confirm the grid connection arrangements, the battery supplier or the exact construction start date for Kilmarnock South from the sources we could open.

What it means for home battery owners

Grid-scale batteries and home batteries are different products, but they serve the same system: they soak up surplus power and release it when demand is high. A large battery in Scotland does not change what a household battery earns or saves, and it does not set your tariff.

The wider picture is more nuanced. Ofgem and DESNZ said in April that more grid-scale battery capacity is waiting to connect than the 2030 plans need, with about 14.8 GW above the top of the 2030 range. Ofgem has since proposed a commitment fee for battery projects in the queue. Projects like Kilmarnock South, which have reached a final investment decision, show that some developers are still pressing ahead.

If you are comparing household options, the UK country guide covers the rules and schemes that apply to home systems, and our home battery storage pages list installed models.

Sources

• Energy Global: Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners invests €270 million in new Scottish BESS project
• Solar Power Portal: CIP building 4-hour, 350MW/1,400MWh BESS in Scotland for 2028 operations
• Solar Power Portal: Ofgem, DESNZ issue grid connection update as BESS oversupply causes concern

Related guides

Keep reading, or check your own numbers:

• Ofgem proposes a commitment fee for battery projects in the grid queue
• Eku Energy buys a 300 MW battery site at Didcot
• Home batteries and the grid: problem or solution?