Pinsent Masons advises Zenobē on Shetland battery energy storage project

The project combines a battery with an AC chopper to help ensure Shetland's future grid resilience.

This Shetland Standby Project will ensure security of supply for Shetland's homes and businesses while reducing emissions. It will also allow Lerwick Power Station to operate on standby only, further cutting emissions and using more electricity generated by renewable energy sources on the islands.

The project is scheduled to go live in 2026 and will integrate advanced technologies like grid-forming inverters and AC choppers. The use of an AC chopper is a significant step towards strengthening the grid, as it helps absorb excess wind power during shutdowns. 

Zenobē secured c.£60 million of non-recourse project finance debt from a syndicate of leading energy transition lenders to fund the buildout of the project.

The multidisciplinary Pinsent Masons team was led by energy projects partner David Trethowan and project finance partner Apicksha Patel and included a cross-disciplinary group of specialists spanning property, energy and finance. 

Commenting on the deal, David Trethowan said "We're incredibly proud to have supported Zenobē on this groundbreaking project, which both strengthens Shetland's grid stability and lowers carbon emissions. It's an honour to play a part in delivering such lasting positive impact for the community and the energy sector as a whole through innovate solutions such as this one."