Farrans, a Sisk Company, has started construction of the Berkswell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in England's West Midlands for client BW ESS.

The 200 MW / 857 MWh facility, located close to Solihull, is progressing through initial on-site activities. Once operational, it is expected to provide enough stored electricity to supply over 500,000 homes for four hours.

Large-scale battery storage projects like Berkswell are key to a more flexible and dependable power network. By responding rapidly to shifts in supply and demand, BESS assets help balance the grid and deliver services including frequency response, Dynamic Containment and participation in the Capacity Market.

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BW ESS, a global developer, owner and operator of energy storage, is accelerating delivery of market-leading schemes. Berkswell forms a significant element of its UK pipeline of larger, strategically positioned assets. Situated near major electricity demand centres, it will support grid flexibility, strengthen regional energy resilience and help the wider system integrate growing renewable generation and evolving consumption patterns. The project is co-owned with leading energy and decarbonisation investor AIP Management.

Farrans was appointed for its expertise in innovative, sustainable delivery across the energy, water, aviation, transportation, marine, public sector, industrial and commercial markets.

Barry McDonagh, Project Manager for Farrans, said: "This is an exciting project to be involved in as the UK adopts more resilient and sustainable approaches to manage its energy network. BW ESS and Energy-io are innovative partners to be working alongside as our programme ramps up. The energy sector is one which is well known to our business and our portfolio includes a high number of wind farms and substations across England, Ireland and Scotland. We have a great team on site and we are looking forward to bringing this project to life."