Battery project approved for Greater Manchester

Energy infrastructure firm Carlton Power has secured planning permission from Trafford Council for a large-scale battery energy storage scheme (BESS) in Greater Manchester.

The scheme will see a £750m 1GW BESS project located at the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park in Greater Manchester, supporting the growth of renewable power generation in the region.

Construction is due to begin at the beginning of next year, subject to a final investment decision, with commercial operation in 2025.

The Trafford BESS is Carlton Power’s second major energy project for the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park, with a 200MW green hydrogen scheme also approved and consent for a hydrogen pipelines agreed.

In addition to Carlton Power’s two projects, Highview Power Storage is planning to build and operate at the site a commercial liquid air storage system – a £250m 250MWh long duration, cryogenic energy storage system.

Keith Clarke, founder and chief executive of Carlton Power, said: “Carlton Power acquired the former coal fired power station in 2008 to redevelop the site for new energy projects.  With the approval of the BESS, this brings the total investment value of the site to £2bn, which will deliver significant economic benefits to the Greater Manchester region and help to deliver the regional net zero targets.”

Councillor Tom Ross, the leader of Trafford Council and green city region lead for Greater Manchester, said: “The two schemes will help address our climate crisis – one of Trafford Council’s corporate priorities – and will support our region’s plan to reach a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2038.  I applaud Carlton Power’s long-term vision in developing the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park.”

Chris McKerrow, head of Carlton Power’s European BESS Development said: “Our BESS scheme will make a significant contribution to the resilience of the North West’s energy system and, combined with our green hydrogen scheme and the cryobattery project, underlines Trafford Park’s importance to the energy transition in the region and the journey towards Net Zero.”

Image from Shutterstock

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