Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners' Coalburn 1 becomes Europe's largest operational battery storage system

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners large-scale BESS project Coalburn 1 reaches commercial operation

Coalburn 1, a 500 MW, two-hour duration battery energy storage system in Scotland, is now the largest operational battery in Europe.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its flagship fund Copenhagen Infrastructure IV (CI IV), is pleased to announce that Coalburn 1 has commenced commercial operations.

Coalburn 1 is a 500 MW, two-hour lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) located in South Lanarkshire in southern Scotland. It will play an important role in strengthening the flexibility and resilience of the UK power system and supporting the continued integration of renewable energy generation.

Coalburn 1 is part of CIP’s expanding portfolio of UK energy infrastructure investments. It is one of three transmission-connected BESS assets developed by CIP in Scotland. Together, Coalburn 1, Coalburn 2 and Devilla will provide 1.5 GW of power capacity and 3 GWh of energy storage, helping to enhance security of supply and enable greater deployment of renewable energy across the UK.

Nischal Agarwal, Partner at CIP, said:

The successful delivery of Coalburn 1 marks an important milestone for CIP and our growing European BESS portfolio.

”As Europe’s largest operational battery energy storage system, Coalburn 1 will enhance the flexibility and resilience of the UK electricity system, support the integration of more renewable power, and contribute to lowering costs for consumers. Alongside Coalburn 2 and Devilla this project demonstrates CIP’s industrial capabilities in developing, commercialising and delivering energy infrastructure at scale.”

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Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners large-scale BESS project Coalburn 1 reaches commercial operation, source