Battery energy storage system lined up for South Lakeland

Energi Generation’s 250 MW facility would be delivered on a six-acre plot at Town House Farm near Old Hutton.

The power generation firm has submitted a screening request to build a 250 MW battery energy storage system across two grazing fields in South Lakeland.

Proposals for the storage facility include a 400/33kV substation, batteries and power conversion systems, a switch room, a control room, and an office.

Energy would be sourced from the adjacent National Grid 400kV connection point when too much is being generated, before being transformed down to 33kV by the substation. This power would then be transformed from AC to DC by the conversion system and stored in the batteries until it is needed.

Plans will be designed “to minimise any impact on the surrounding landscape and character of the area and will incorporate biodiversity enhancement spaces into the scheme”, according to the screening request report.

These biodiversity measures include the retention of hedgerows and the creation of wildlife grassland.

It is estimated that the development would have a lifespan of around 40 years. At the end of its useful life, the facility would be decommissioned and the site would return back to grazing land.

ADAS Planning is the planning consultant for the scheme.

To learn more about the plans, search for application number SE/2023/0004 on Westmorland and Furness Council’s planning portal.