the site

Battery storage is a technology that enables energy to be stored for later use. The storage system charges (or collects energy) from the grid, conventional power plant or renewable energy development and then discharges that energy at a later time.

Increasing needs for system flexibility has enabled battery storage to play an increasing role in the grid power system in recent years and as the provision of wind and solar deployment increases, more policymakers, regulators and utilities are seeking to develop policies to encourage such projects.

Battery storage can enhance power system flexibility and enable high levels of renewable energy integration. 

The draft National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy (EN-3) confirms that Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) should not be the predominant test in site selection. 

The site is located on two types of land, Grade 3.2 and Grade 4.2. The Land Capability Classification for Agriculture ranks land on the basis of its potential productivity and cropping flexibility determined by the extent to which its physical characteristics (soil, climate and relief) impose long term restrictions on its agricultural use.  A significant section of the site comprises land defined as Grade 3.2 which is considered to be land capable of producing consistently high yields of a narrow range of crops and/ or moderate yields of a wider range. However, the recently adopted National Planning Framework Four supports the development of renewables on prime agricultural land and in this case the site is not in use for the production of agricultural crops or for food production therefore there would be no significant impacts in this respect. The development will also be temporary in nature and reinstated to its previous use once the development ceases.

We consider a range of factors when evaluating land available to deliver a utility-scale clean energy storage scheme, including planning and environmental factors including existing use and quality of land, as well as any designations and constraints. However one of the factors ultimately informing site choice when looking at potential locations for new utility-scale battery storage development is available capacity on the local grid.

In the case of this location, the proximity to the substation allows us to make use of existing electricity infrastructure to connect to the grid. By doing so, this means we can reduce the potential impacts of the proposal. 

The proposed battery storage facility will benefit UK consumers as a whole by facilitating the supply of low-cost, low carbon electricity on the national grid.

Throughout the consultation process, we will continue to work with people in the area to ensure that our proposals represent an inclusive scheme, inviting ideas and feedback from local communities and stakeholders.