North West based groundworks specialist, MD Earthworks has completed works designing and installing the groundworks at Shell’s battery storage project, in Bacton, Norfolk.
Battery slab complete
Earthworks is one of the top UK companies leading the way in solar energy and battery storage projects, most recently completing work for the fifth largest company in the world – Shell, on its new battery storage project, in Bacton, Norfolk.
As the site was a ‘no dig’ site, Earthworks were not allowed to mechanically excavate. The highly technical and specialist piece of work involved the team designing and producing pre-cast foundation slabs at their yard in Whitchurch, which then fitted together like a jigsaw at Bacton.
According to a report by BNEF, nearly half the world’s electricity will come from solar and wind renewable energy by 2050. Europe is taking the lead on the shift to renewables, which will supply 92% of the region’s electricity by 2050.*
2019 will be the first year that fossil fuels make up less than half of the electricity generated in the UK, following a huge decline in coal-fired power and a rise in renewable energy.**
As battery storage becomes more cost effective and widespread, the UK is able to rely more on clean electricity generated by wind farms, solar panels and hydro power.
Shell Energy has now switched all of its British residential customers to 100% renewable electricity and renewable electricity will be offered, as standard to all existing and new customers. Shell is also rolling out a range of smart home technology offers throughout the year, starting with smart thermostats and home electric vehicle charging.***
Martin Downes, Managing Director of Earthworks, comments: “We have been working with renewable energy leaders for a number of years and hope to establish new business in the future.
“Bacton was a really sophisticated project to work on. Our highly skilled team and expertise in this area, ensured the design and implementation of the groundworks and lifting of the batteries went smoothly.
“We are proud to have been involved in such a progressive and innovative project, helping to bring cleaner and reliable, renewable energy to a wider demographic.”
*Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-18/the-world-will-get-half-its-power-from-wind-and-solar-by-2050
**Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jun/21/zero-carbon-energy-overtakes-fossil-fuels-as-the-uks-largest-electricity-source
***Source: https://www.shell.co.uk/media/2019-media-releases/first-utility-becomes-shell-energy-retail-ltd.html