Spencer Group has commenced piling installation works at Trafford Energy Park in Carrington, Manchester, marking a key milestone in the development of the UK’s first commercial-scale liquid air long-duration energy storage facility.
The £23 million contract, awarded to Spencer Group by client, Highview Power, forms part of a £300 million scheme that will enable renewable energy to be stored for several weeks at a time, significantly longer than conventional battery systems.
The groundbreaking project will play a critical role in supporting the UK’s transition to net zero by strengthening grid resilience and unlocking greater use of clean energy sources.
Spencer Group’s team has now begun driven pile installation on site, marking a significant step forward in the project. Currently, over 600 drive 350mm square concrete piles have been driven into the ground and excavations have commenced for a number of the underground concrete bases.
Once complete, further reinforced concrete foundations will be constructed to support key systems, including compressors, heat exchangers, and other critical mechanical components. The programme will also include works to support the facility’s grid connection.
Upon completion, Spencer Group will have established the essential preparatory infrastructure for the final construction phase of the Carrington Cryogenic Energy Storage Facility. Once operational, the plant will have a storage capacity of 300MWh, enough to power 480,000 homes with clean, green energy.
Spencer Group’s involvement in the project highlights the company’s expertise in delivering complex, high-value projects within the UK’s energy sector.
At the end of November, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, visited the site, hosted by the client, Highview Power. Spencer Group representatives, including Executive Chairman Charlie Spencer and Managing Director Gary Thornton, were also in attendance and had the opportunity to discuss the project with the mayor, who was pleased to see the progress being made on site.
Ivan Vukomanovic, Project Director at Spencer Group said:
“The civil works underway on the Carrington Project are laying the foundations for one of the UK’s most advanced energy storage facilities, representing a major milestone for Spencer Group. Overseeing the deep piling for the molten salt and cryogenic tanks, as well as the installation of key infrastructure such as drainage, ducting, and access roads, has been a complex but rewarding challenge.”
“Every aspect of our work is being engineered with precision to enable large-scale energy storage, and I look forward to driving this transformative project to completion.”
