Planning permission for a 500MW battery energy storage project has been granted, which could store excess energy produced by renewable energy sources. The project will be carried out by Exagen, a UK based renewable energy developer, on land in Leicestershire and will be capable of powering 235,000 homes for two hours. This would cover roughly 80% of the homes in Leicestershire.
The site was chosen specifically because there is available grid capacity and infrastructure on site, it is free from environmental designations and is not green belt land. In addition, there is good access to the site and it can be screened using trees and hedgerows so it will be unobtrusive.
The development, known as Normanton Energy Reserve, is designed to help maintain stability in the National Grid at times of increased energy demand. Essentially, the facility will manage demand on the network by importing or exporting energy to the grid on demand.
It will be connected to the National Grid via a newly built substation. In addition, the development will see the establishment of 19 acres of new wildflower meadows alongside beekeeping areas, hedgerows and perimeter tree planting. The biodiversity elements of the development will see biodiversity boosted by 25% when compared to the existing baseline.
At the same time Exagen, which will take ownership of the site, wants to establish a community fund to spend on improvements to the area, which will see an initial investment of £250,000 once development begins and an additional £50,000 a year for up to 40 years (which is the projected lifespan of the project).
CEO at Exagen, Jeremy Littman, said "For the UK to achieve its 2050 net-zero target at the lowest possible cost, there needs to be an increase in electricity storage capacity to balance renewable energy generation. As more renewables are deployed, larger battery projects like Normanton will be required. It is vital that they are developed sensitively and in partnership with the local communities that host them. We’ve been guided by our local stakeholders to achieve consent for a significant infrastructure project that is unobtrusive and balances national needs with local benefit. We’ll work now to deliver this project into operation in that same spirit of partnership, and as an active and useful member of the local community."
