Major battery storage project gets green light in the UK

A new battery storage facility has been given planning permission on a brownfield site in the borough of Swindon.

The 50 megawatt project will be one of the largest battery storage developments in the UK, located on council land at a disused waste site.

Steve Cains, Head of Power at Public Power Solutions, said the project could provide an example for others to follow: “Local authorities are in a unique position to benefit from the growing demand for electricity storage, with diverse property portfolios and high energy consumption. We’re making it work at home here in Swindon but this project could be replicated in many other parts of the country, helping generate an income for the cash-strapped public sector”.

The battery, which is yet to receive funding to be constructed, will help the National Grid meet supply and demand on a second-by-second basis. Large batteries can be used to store renewable generation and even out very small gaps in availability on demand.

Councillor Toby Elliott, Swindon Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainability, said: “The fact this will be one of the largest battery storage schemes in the UK speaks volumes for our ambition in Swindon. It also shows our willingness to look for innovative ways in which to utilise our assets, generating an income for the Council to protect vital services”.

The development is the latest in a line of new battery storage projects being built in the UK. The sector has seen a flurry of activity in recent years, bolstered by Government support to transition to a low-carbon economy. Increased levels of renewable energy mean the electricity grid needs to be managed in a more flexible and smart way.  

 

Photo Credit: Stanley Howe/CC