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Wärtsilä will provide a 68 MW energy storage system under contract to Zenobē in Lerwick, Shetland. (The Shetland Islands, or Shetland, are located about 110 miles from mainland Scotland.) The new system will improve energy security, reduce emissions, and help with moving toward a cleaner, more resilient power system. In the United Kingdom, Zenobe is the leading operator of grid-scale battery storage. Wärtsilä is an innovative technology leader in the energy and marine markets.
Christopher Wolf, Director at Wärtsilä Energy Storage, answered some questions about the Shetland Standby Project.
For the 68 MW battery energy storage system, what is the duration?
2 hours, using Wärtsilä’s first deployment of Quantum2 in the UK.
What is the battery chemistry?
Wärtsilä Energy Storage uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which have a higher flash point and a slower rate of self-heating during thermal runaway. This makes them less prone to fire risk.
What is the battery system cost and what will it be used for?
The system will primarily provide Infrastructure services to ensure grid backup and restoration capabilities if the interconnector with mainland Scotland goes down.
Commenting, Zenobē Founder Director James Basden said: “…maintain security of supply, ensuring homes and businesses continue to receive the power they need in the event of a transmission system outage, while reducing emissions and utilising more renewables in Shetland…”
Commenting, SSEN Distribution’s Project Manager Nathan Coote said: “… to decarbonise Shetland’s grid while maintaining security of supply… reassurance that during a planned outage, or in the event of there being a temporary issue with Shetland’s connection to mainland Scotland, power to homes and businesses will be maintained seamlessly, with the battery providing supply while Lerwick Power Station is safely brought out of standby.”
How many jobs will be created for the installation?
Exact figures are not available. However, there is an agreement in place to ensure on-island maintenance services provisions.
Will it be paired with any renewable electricity?
The battery energy storage system is not directly paired with a renewable generation facility.
What are advanced grid-forming inverters and the GEMS Digital Energy Platform?
Advanced grid-forming inverters allow battery energy storage systems and other renewable sources to deliver essential grid services traditionally provided by fossil fuel-based generators. Unlike conventional “grid-following” inverters, which require a functioning grid to operate, grid-forming inverters can independently establish and maintain voltage and frequency. This enables them to stabilise the grid during disturbances and support the integration of more renewables.
The GEMS Digital Energy Platform is Wärtsilä Energy Storage’s industry-leading controls and optimisation software. Designed and engineered in the United States, GEMS offers enhanced cybersecurity, system integrity, and operational resilience. Built on a fully integrated platform and designed with flexible architecture, it provides unmatched visibility and control from battery cell to fleet—helping project owners unlock maximum capacity, improve efficiency, and exceed investment goals.
For the Shetland Standby Project, GEMS will manage the battery system’s real-time performance, ensuring fast, intelligent responses to fluctuations in supply and demand.
Which emissions will be reduced by using the battery storage system and by how much?
The battery facility will allow the diesel-fired Lerwick Power Station to move into a standby role, significantly reducing its usage. This will result in 2.2 m tonnes of carbon saved in the 10-year period.
What is the electricity source or sources for the islands?
As of 1 June 2025, 80% of annual demand is met by Lerwick Power Station with the remaining 20% from small, independent, and community-based renewable generators. The battery system will help increase the share of renewable energy on the islands, primarily from abundant wind resources.
How many people live on islands?
The Shetland Islands have an approximate population of 22,920.
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