Britain’s Balance Power plans grid-stabilising battery project

British energy developer Balance Power has secured planning approval for a 40MW battery storage project in Cheshire, which will export stored renewable power to the grid when demand is high.

The project, located in Cheadle, will balance intermittency on the UK grid and provide stability for around 90,000 homes, a crucial service as the UK transitions towards net zero and renewable power plays an increasing role in the country’s energy mix.

The storage facility is due to be operational in 2028, with construction planned to begin as early as 2026. After its 40-year lifecycle the project will be decommissioned, and the site will be returned to its former use and condition.

Commenting on the battery storage project in a release, Dan Levy, planning lead at Balance Power, said: “We’re extremely excited about securing planning permission for this battery storage facility.

“Not only will it make a significant contribution to Staffordshire Moorlands achieving its objectives to be carbon neutral by 2030, and bring new clean energy infrastructure to the area, but battery storage is also essential for the UK’s transition to net zero. It’s crucial in diversifying the energy network and reducing the need for fossil fuel technologies.”

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By enabling more renewable power onto the grid, the Cheadle project will lead to the avoidance of around 5,500 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to taking 2,000 cars off the road.

Prior to approval, Balance Power worked with the community, town council and local district councillors in Staffordshire Moorlands during a period of consultation.

Staffordshire Moorlands Council unanimously voted in favour of the project after Balance Power conducted extensive community engagement and received no objections to the project from members of the public.

“We’re also really proud to have received unanimous support from Staffordshire Moorlands and for the strong support we also received from Cheadle Town Council and nearby residents,” added Levy.

Balance Power has since 2017 taken nearly 40 energy projects through to planning consent, creating 426MW of capacity to support the grid. The company also has upward of 1.4GW of projects under development.