International law firm Addleshaw Goddard has advised Alcemi Storage Developments, the energy storage project developer, on a further two significant battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Scotland. This follows on from the firm advising on the 500 MW BESS project at Coalburn, which is currently under construction. The three projects, located in Scotland, will be the largest BESS Portfolio under construction in Europe.  

Developed as part of Alcemi's partnership with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), the 500MW projects at Devilla and Coalburn 2 will bring Alcemi’s capacity under construction to 1.5GW / 3GWh. CIP has announced its final investment decision (FID) through its Flagship Funds to begin construction of the two projects. 

The Devilla Energy Storage Project, a 500MW/1 000MWh project, is located on an 11.5-hectare site east of Kincardine, Fife and grid connection is expected in October 2027. Coalburn 2, a 500MW/1 000MWh project, will be located at a former coal mine on approximately 21.5 hectares of land in Coalburn, just south of Glasgow. Grid connection is expected in August 2027.  Both projects are also expected to boost and enhance local biodiversity.

Alcemi’s partnership with CIP aims to deploy 4GW of energy storage projects across the UK at strategic locations, making an important contribution to alleviating grid constraints and enabling the transition to renewable energy.

Addleshaw Goddard has provided a multidisciplinary service offering to Alcemi Group Companies since the business was founded in 2019, advising each project in the portfolio from conception through securing land rights, consenting, grid connection and corporate matters until they have been sold to CIP.  The Addleshaw Goddard team advising on the projects and the latest deals have been led by renowned energy experts including Partners Sarah Baillie, David McEwing and Steven McAllister and supported by Fiona Gordon, Maeve Wright, Sheila Mackintosh, Antonia Scott, Rachel Morrison and Megan Marshall.

Sarah Baillie, who is Co-Head of the Power Sector and Alcemi’s Client Relationship Partner at Addleshaw Goddard, said: "In a relatively short period of time Alcemi has grown to become one of the UK's leading privately owned energy storage developers, and we are thrilled to have collaborated with the team every step of the way and to deliver on a further two cutting edge BESS projects and deals in their partnership with CIP. It is fantastic to see the projects come to life and shows that Alcemi are delivering on their ambitions and making a substantial contribution in facilitating the continued expansion of renewable generation and grid stability, enabling Scotland and United Kingdom to achieve its net-zero goals whilst also enhancing our energy security."  

James Forster, Development Director of Alcemi, said: “Alcemi is delighted to reach FID on Coalburn 2 and Devilla. Together with our Coalburn 1 project, which entered construction in December 2023, we now have 1.5GW / 3GWh under construction in the UK, the largest portfolio of its kind in Europe. Energy storage is vital in delivering a clean power system by 2030, and our projects will make an important contribution to this transition.We are incredibly proud of our team’s hard work in reaching this milestone and the continued success of our partnership with CIP in bringing these projects closer to energisation.”