Planning permission has been granted for two of our battery storage projects, forming part of our 1GW+ battery storage pipeline currently being developed in the UK.

Gateshead Council has approved the 100MW project at Newburn Bridge Road, Blaydon and the 90MW project near Drakelow was approved by SouthDerbyshire Council, both in the first quarter of this year.

The Blaydon site is located on brownfield land, on an industrial estate connecting into Northern Powergrid’s substation nearby. Similarly, the Drakelow site is located on a business park with limited visibility and will connect into Western Powergrid’s network. Both proposals also include a commitment to deliver biodiversity enhancements resulting in a minimum biodiversity net gain of 10%.

Both projects will play a crucial role in the transition to net zero as more renewable energy generators feed power into the electricity network. As well as storing power at times of low demand, both projects will also help to ensure the frequency of the grid network is maintained at times of system stress.

Peter Thomas, UK BESS Development Manager, said “These projects have made perfect sense from day one. They both have a very low impact on their surroundings and will play an important role in decreasing energy costs for consumers while also reducing our demand for imported gas”.

Construction is anticipated to begin by the end of the year andwill take around 6-12 months.

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