The Rise of LDES in the UK
According to RenewableUK, the UK’s battery storage capacity has surged by over 500% since 2020, reaching 6.87GW / 10.5GWh by mid-2025. But that’s just the beginning. The government’s Clean Power 2030 roadmap sets a target of 5 – 8GW of LDES and up to 99GWh of energy capacity by the end of the decade – a bold move to support grid flexibility, decarbonisation, and energy security.
What’s driving this growth? Developers are increasingly turning to longer-duration systems to balance intermittent renewables and reduce reliance on fossil peaker plants. Projects like Coalburn I & II in South Lanarkshire (1GWh combined) and Fidra Energy’s 2.4GWh BESS in Lincolnshire are setting new benchmarks for scale.
Bigger Projects Mean Bigger Lifts
With larger systems come larger components, and that’s where things get interesting for us at LIG. Battery containers that once weighed 20 – 25 tonnes are now tipping the scales at 30 – 40 tonnes. MV and HV skids are growing in complexity, and the footprint of auxiliary infrastructure like transformers, PCSs, and BICs is expanding.
These aren’t just heavier, they’re more valuable. A single lift can represent hundreds of thousands of pounds in equipment. That’s why precision, planning, and protection are non-negotiable.
At LIG, we’ve invested heavily in our specialist lifting capabilities to meet this demand. From deploying 350t – 650t cranes with tailored rigging plans to managing restricted slewing zones and multi-lift sequences, we bring the kind of technical depth that these projects require.
One thing I always stress to clients: lifting is more than just muscle, it’s about managing risk. That’s why LIG offers fully comprehensive insurance cover for all our lifting operations. When you’re installing multi-million-pound assets in remote or congested sites, knowing your lifting partner has you covered makes all the difference.
We also work closely with developers and EPCs to align lift plans with energisation schedules, ensuring that logistics don’t become a bottleneck. In fact, on several recent projects, our early involvement helped reduce delivery timelines.
What’s Next?
As LDES technologies diversify from flow batteries to gravity-based systems, the lifting challenges will evolve too. We’re already preparing for taller, heavier, and more modular assets that will require even more precise execution.
