Newport-based engineering consulting firm Steve Morgan Associates has been appointed to support the roll-out of a new multimillion-pound battery energy storage system (BESS) facility being built in Scotland.
The scheme in Dounreay, which will begin construction later this year, will be spearheaded by Root-Power, a key developer of BESS facilities to help the UK transition to a cleaner energy system, as part of the UK Government's Clean Power 2030 reforms.
The company has turned to Steve Morgan Associates to provide civil and structural engineering consultancy to design foundations, layouts, drainage and other key aspects of the site infrastructure needed to assist the main building contractors.
The business on Clytha Park Road in Newport was formed in 2000 by Steve Morgan, a chartered civil engineer with over 28 years' experience. Prior to establishing the business, Steve worked on major projects such as the development of the Channel Tunnel rail link as part of Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners' team.
Steve Morgan Associates will now turn its attention to Root-Power's Dounreay BESS project, which will deliver a 34-megawatt (MW) capacity once completed, helping to support national grid stability and balance electricity supply and demand during periods of peak usage. The site has been strategically selected based on local demand and its proximity to grid connection points. It will play a vital role in reducing price volatility and support a more resilient and flexible energy network for local communities and businesses.
Neil Brooks, managing director at Root-Power, said:
“We awarded this major contract to Steve Morgan Associates because of its proven expertise in civil and structural engineering and experience of working on BESS facilities of this size. Having the right partner in place to design the site infrastructure across the BESS scheme in Dounreay is essential to allowing it to become fully operational on the national grid.
“Projects such as this represent an important step forward for us as a business as we scale our BESS portfolio and contribute to strengthening the UK's energy network. Battery storage systems, delivered in partnership with engineering consultants such as Steve Morgan Associates, play a critical role in enabling the successful transition to a more flexible, low-carbon national grid whilst safeguarding energy supply to thousands of businesses and homes.”
Steve Morgan, founder and director at Steve Morgan Associates, added:
“We're thrilled to be working with Root-Power across this major BESS project in Scotland and delivering the engineering design requirements needed to ensure the right infrastructure is put in place. From drainage and detailed construction drawings through to responding to local authority technical queries, our experienced team can't wait to get started on the project later this year when the construction phase begins.”
