BESS stands for Battery Energy Storage System. In Shetland, BESS refers to grid-scale battery installations designed to store surplus renewable energy and provide immediate backup power.

Key details of the construction and contract include:

• Current Status: Construction is actively underway. Foundations, service supply ducts, communication ducts, service troughs and chambers are all substantially complete, with a completion date in Autumn of 2026.
• Design & Alignment: These battery facilities are critical for Shetland’s energy future, specifically serving the following functions:
• The Zenobē Shetland Standby Project: A 68MW/130MWh battery system located at Gremista, Lerwick, designed to supply continuous power to the island in the event of outages.
• Transitioning from Fossil Fuels: It allows the Lerwick Power Station to transition into a standby role, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cutting fossil fuel use.
• Grid Stability: The batteries balance the local network, helping seamlessly integrate Shetland’s abundant wind resources while ensuring blackout-avoidance and preventing network instability
• Project Scope: The civil works contract awarded to CW Johnson Plant Ltd includes site establishment, construction of footings and foundations, cable trench excavation, cable surround and reinstatement, landscaping, and fencing.