Apr 29, 2025
CIP to divest 50% interest in the 500MW Coalburn 1 BESS project in Scotland.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has agreed to sell a 50% share in its Coalburn 1 battery energy storage system (BESS) to AXA IM Alts, effective upon the site's commissioning.
The deal was signed by CIP on behalf of its Copenhagen Infrastructure IV (CI IV) fund. AXA IM Alts Infrastructure head Mark Gilligan commented that this investment signifies their entry into the UK energy storage market and underscores their commitment to the transition to a zero carbon economy. He noted the importance of battery storage for national energy security and the potential of renewable energy and expressed eagerness to collaborate with sector leaders for sustainable value.
Coalburn 1 is a 500MW lithium-ion facility in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, with a two-hour duration. In December 2023, CIP made the financial investment decision (FID) for Coalburn 1, with commissioning expected in early 2026. CIP will oversee the construction and post-commissioning phases. The project includes a ten-year optimization agreement with SSE and a 15-year capacity market agreement.
CIP is also constructing three transmission-connected BESS projects in Scotland, totaling 1.5GW capacity and capable of storing 3 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity, enough to power over 4.5 million homes for two hours. Additionally, CIP is developing another 4.5GW of BESS projects in Scotland and England.
Coalburn 1 contributes to CIP's expanding portfolio of UK energy infrastructure investments, with its CI V flagship fund recently surpassing €12bn, focused on renewable technologies across Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific region. CIP partner Nischal Agarwal expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with AXA IM Alts at Coalburn 1, which will become Europe’s largest operational BESS project upon commissioning in 2026. He highlighted that the project, along with Coalburn 2 and Devilla, will enhance the UK's energy security, facilitate low-cost renewable energy delivery, and lower costs for British consumers through increased system flexibility.
In March 2024, CIP collaborated with GC Storage Services via its CI V fund to develop a 2.3GW pipeline of large-scale BESS in Italy.
The deal was signed by CIP on behalf of its Copenhagen Infrastructure IV (CI IV) fund. AXA IM Alts Infrastructure head Mark Gilligan commented that this investment signifies their entry into the UK energy storage market and underscores their commitment to the transition to a zero carbon economy. He noted the importance of battery storage for national energy security and the potential of renewable energy and expressed eagerness to collaborate with sector leaders for sustainable value.
Coalburn 1 is a 500MW lithium-ion facility in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, with a two-hour duration. In December 2023, CIP made the financial investment decision (FID) for Coalburn 1, with commissioning expected in early 2026. CIP will oversee the construction and post-commissioning phases. The project includes a ten-year optimization agreement with SSE and a 15-year capacity market agreement.
CIP is also constructing three transmission-connected BESS projects in Scotland, totaling 1.5GW capacity and capable of storing 3 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity, enough to power over 4.5 million homes for two hours. Additionally, CIP is developing another 4.5GW of BESS projects in Scotland and England.
Coalburn 1 contributes to CIP's expanding portfolio of UK energy infrastructure investments, with its CI V flagship fund recently surpassing €12bn, focused on renewable technologies across Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific region. CIP partner Nischal Agarwal expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with AXA IM Alts at Coalburn 1, which will become Europe’s largest operational BESS project upon commissioning in 2026. He highlighted that the project, along with Coalburn 2 and Devilla, will enhance the UK's energy security, facilitate low-cost renewable energy delivery, and lower costs for British consumers through increased system flexibility.
In March 2024, CIP collaborated with GC Storage Services via its CI V fund to develop a 2.3GW pipeline of large-scale BESS in Italy.