Battery storage jobs are set to see massive growth in the coming years, with a range of projects breaking ground in the UK and Europe. There’s so much work coming down the pipeline, it’s hard to narrow it down – but we’ll try!
If you’re not familiar with battery energy storage systems (BESS), we’ll offer a brief explanation of this crucial puzzle piece of the clean energy transition. Acting as large-scale energy reservoirs, BESS stores excess electricity generated during periods of low demand or high renewable energy output. When demand peaks or renewable sources are insufficient, the stored energy inside a BESS is released to the grid, balancing supply and demand.
With such powerful capabilities, it’s no wonder we’re seeing a boom in battery tech construction projects. In the UK, the British Energy Strategy, which has a set target of 95% low-carbon electricity by 2030, has forecast 480,000 jobs will be created over this period. These job growth projections are echoed in Europe, as indicated by Tamarindo’s Energy Storage Report, which forecasts a booming European market and a tripling of worldwide energy storage installations over the next five years.
Let’s look at some of the top battery tech construction projects across the UK and Europe in 2024 and the critical job areas providing career opportunities in this sector.
Cleve Hill Solar Project (UK)
In 2023, Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners announced the construction of Cleve Hill, the UK’s largest consented solar (373 MW) and battery storage (>150 MW) project. According to Quinbrook, the Kent-based project will support ‘2,300 direct and indirect jobs’ in the project’s lifetime as well as ‘generate more than GBP 148 million in local socio-economic benefit’. The construction of Cleve Hill is slated for completion in late 2024.
Sheaf Energy Park (UK)
Also to be located in Kent, the design for the even larger 250MW/375MWh BESS Sheaf Energy Park commenced in early 2023, developed and operated by Pacific Green. The site is located next to Pacific Green’s Richborough Energy Park, a 100MW/100MWh battery completed in late 2023. The construction of Sheaf Energy Park solidifies Kent as a future hotspot for renewable energy construction jobs.
Sunnica Solar-Plus Battery Energy Storage System (UK)
In 2019, Sunnica announced its plans for the construction of the largest lithium iron BESS to date, boasting an astonishing capacity of 500 MW. According to Sunnica, this will be sufficient to power ‘approximately 100,000 homes.’ The project is set to span across three sites in East Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk and will be commissioned in 2025. With its massive scale, the proposed BESS project is poised to create a substantial number of battery storage jobs as it enters the construction phase in 2024.
Kyon Energy Alfeld Battery Energy Storage System (Germany)
According to data from Tamarindo, Germany is expected to claim the second-largest share of lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity within the next two years, beating the US and second only to China. In November 2023, Kyon Energy claimed the ‘largest approved BESS in Europe’ set for construction in 2024 and commissioning by the end of 2025. Kyon (recently acquired by TotalEnergies) is set to build the 137.5-MW/275-MWh BESS in the German town of Alfeld in Lower Saxony.
Eneco Battery Energy Storage Project (Belgium)
In June 2023, Eneco unveiled plans for a significant battery energy storage project in Wallonia, Belgium. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, this BESS will comprise 53 Megapack energy storage units from Tesla, offering a combined capacity of 50 MW/200 MWh. With the capability to supply power to the grid for up to 4 hours, the project holds promising growth prospects for renewable energy construction jobs in the region.
Career Opportunities in Battery Tech Construction
With all these projects underway, it’s worthwhile considering the job opportunities available in battery tech, particularly if you have a construction, technical or engineering background. (If you do, we’d love to hear from you.)
- Project Management: As the battery tech construction industry expands, there is a growing demand for skilled project managers. PMs are needed to oversee the planning, execution, and completion of battery energy storage projects, ensuring they align with safety standards, budget constraints and overall deadlines.
- Electrical Engineering: Battery tech construction is all about electrical systems, making electrical engineers essential for designing, implementing, and maintaining the electrical infrastructure of BESS facilities. This includes working on the integration of batteries with the power grid and ensuring optimal performance.
- Construction Management: Construction managers are playing a crucial part in bringing projects from the blueprint to reality. As with other construction specialities, BESS require CMs to oversee the construction process, manage resources and ensure safety and quality standards are met.
- Environmental and Safety Compliance: Professionals specialising in environmental compliance and safety management are also in demand for battery projects, to ensure work adheres to environmental regulations, safety protocols and sustainable practices.
- Technicians and Maintenance: Last but certainly not least, technicians will play an increasingly important role in the everyday functioning of battery energy storage systems. Installation, maintenance and repair of battery tech demands skilled technicians with battery know-how. This includes monitoring system performance, troubleshooting issues, and implementing upgrades.
Discover Europe’s Best Battery Storage Jobs
If you’re a construction or engineering professional looking for renewable energy construction jobs across the UK and Europe, look no further. Here at Konstrukt, we specialise in Battery Tech Construction jobs and work with a broad range of innovative organisations! Contact us today to make your next career move in this exciting industry.
