The 3 GWh ContourGlobal and CATL agreement spans multiple utility-scale storage projects across three countries
CATL said it will provide technology designed to manage battery degradation over its operating life
The Chinese battery major has committed to take back and recycle the batteries
ContourGlobal, a UK-based independent power producer (IPP), has contracted Chinese battery maker CATL to supply 3 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS) for projects across the UK, Greece, and Chile.
CATL will supply its containerized liquid-cooled integrated BESS solution that uses large-format lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. The deal covers 526 battery containers, each with 5.64 MWh of storage capacity configured for 4 hours of continuous discharge.
For its first bundle agreement deal with ContourGlobal, CATL said it will support the projects with a proprietary cell-degradation management system that continuously monitors and helps reduce cell aging. The Chinese battery giant has also committed to take back and recycle the batteries at the end of their useful life in line with European sustainability rules.
Antonio Cammisecra, CEO of ContourGlobal, said, “Beyond equipment supply, we are establishing a standardized utility-scale BESS platform across multiple countries, enabling consistent engineering, testing, commissioning and long-term asset management.”
He added that standardizing technical requirements and project execution would help reduce delivery risks, speed up project deployment and support the expansion of ContourGlobal’s energy storage business.
The British company’s 3 GWh operational BESS portfolio is spread across Europe and the Americas. The CATL deal will cover the following recently acquired projects by ContourGlobal:
500 MW/2,000 MWh Wallace Standalone BESS in Scotland (in advanced development),
100 MW/400 MWh Taxiarches facility in Greece (under construction), and
Los Maitenes project comprising 131 MW solar PV with 90 MW/360 MWh of storage in Chile (under construction).
The Chile project is expected to generate nearly 220 GWh of clean electricity annually. Its 4-hour BESS will enable it to supply power under a long-term PPA during both daytime and nighttime, while excess generation will be sold in the merchant market, according to KKR-backed ContourGlobal.
Recently, ContourGlobal signed a long-term PPA with Tesla in the US for about 1 TWh of electricity supply annually from its 509 MW DC/450 MW AC solar PV and 360 MW/1.4 GWh BESS facility in Arizona (see North America Solar PV News Snippets).
