Michael Matheson has unveiled a new £25m national grid network.
The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport was in Moray to unveil the project which hopes to increase the amount of renewable energy delivered via the national grid and reduce the costs for the consumer.
The Keith Greener Grid Park, the first of several which will be built across the UK, is a project pioneered by Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, in association with the National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO).
Its technology will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and deliver the NGESO’s target of being able to operate a zero carbon electricity system by 2025.
Addressing the need for grid stability, the project uses two rotating stabilisers, manufactured by GE Power Conversion, to increase the amount of renewable energy that can be utilised on the grid.
Statkraft’s project mimics the spinning turbines of a traditional power station, which have helped to balance the grid’s frequency at about 50 hertz for decades.
The Keith Greener Grid Park is one of three Statkraft projects being progressed in the area.
The Scottish Government has recently approved an extension to the Berry Burn Wind Farm. The addition of nine modern wind turbines installed would power the equivalent of 35,500 additional homes.
Plans are also in progress for Craig Watch Wind Farm, approximately 8km south east of Dufftown. Other Scottish projects being developed range from Energy Isles Wind Farm in Shetland to Knockcronal in South Ayrshire.
Matheson said: “News of rising energy prices earlier this year were extremely worrying for many people, with the risk of fuel poverty a real risk for a huge number of homes across the UK.
“The energy market has faced a huge challenge due to the unprecedented increase in global gas prices, and the government has been very interested in hearing about projects and developments that not only support the energy transition but support cheaper power.”
“The Keith Greener Grid Park is a prime example of ways this can be done – and it was encouraging today to hear more from the technical team behind the trailblazing project.”
A £44m deal between Statkraft and NGESO will see a similar site become operational in Liverpool, and Statkraft say they plan for four further projects to be consented and under construction, with a large number of developments in the pipeline.
Guy Nicholson, head of grid integration at Statkraft UK, said: “The Keith Greener Grid Park is a huge step forward in helping the electric system operator to operate Great Britain’s electricity system carbon-free by 2025.
”Our grid network needs to adapt to accommodate the rapid increase in renewable energy generation – Statkraft is providing solutions to do just that.”
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
