Farrans, a subsidiary of Sisk, has started construction on the Berkswell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for energy storage developer group BW ESS in the West Midlands, England.
The facility, with a capacity of 200MW/857MWh, is located close to Solihull. Early site works are now under way.
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Once operational, the Berkswell BESS is expected to supply electricity to more than 500,000 homes for four hours.
According to the company, these battery storage systems help create a more flexible and reliable power supply by quickly responding to changes in energy demand and supply.
The facility aims to help balance the grid and support national electricity services including Dynamic Containment, frequency response and the Capacity Market.
BW ESS, which develops, owns, and operates energy storage projects globally, regards Berkswell BESS as a significant addition to its UK portfolio.
The company stated that the site has been strategically chosen to serve regions with high electricity demand and to enhance local energy resilience.
BW ESS co-owns the project alongside energy and decarbonisation investor AIP Management.
Farrans was selected to construct the Berkswell site due to experience in delivering infrastructure projects across energy, transportation, water and other sectors.
Farrans project manager Barry McDonagh said: “This is an exciting project to be involved in as the UK adopts more resilient and sustainable approaches to manage its energy network. BW ESS and Energy-io are innovative partners to be working alongside as our programme ramps up.
“The energy sector is one which is well known to our business and our portfolio includes a high number of wind farms and substations across England, Ireland and Scotland. We have a great team on site, and we are looking forward to bringing this project to life.”
In February 2025, Farrans was awarded the phase two contract for the £100m ($124m) regeneration project at Leeds Bradford Airport in the UK. This stage of the development will centre on modernising terminal facilities to enhance operations and accommodate regional expansion.
