Trafford approves £750m battery storage project
Carlton Power says its infrastructure project will be “the world’s largest” battery energy storage system, supercharging the delivery of renewable energy schemes by providing space to store the power generated for reliable and consistent use.
Carlton’s push for a £750m battery energy storage system at Trafford Low Carbon Energy netted planning permission from the metropolitan borough council on Friday. Carlton’s BESS would be capable of storing up to 1GW of energy created through renewable methods.
BESS are key for mainstreaming renewable power, which is generated intermittently. By storing the power, the energy can be released steadily regardless of whether it is currently sunny or windy.
Carlton is in advanced talks with potential partners on the project. If funding can be secured, construction on the Trafford BESS could begin by in the first quarter of 2024. That would put the BESS as commercially operating by the end of 2025.
This is just one of several projects Carlton has at Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park, the 30-acre former home of the Carrington coal-fired power station. Carlton acquired the site in 2008.
Carlton is also working on constructing a 200MW green hydrogen plant, which is set to be operational by the end of 2025. The Trafford Green Hydrogen scheme was shortlisted for £50m from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Hydrogen Business Model.
Carlton is also working with energy company Highview Power on developing a cyrobattery plant, capable of storing excess energy for long-term use. The project, which was announced in 2020, would be capable of storing power for weeks, rather than hours or days like traditional BESS.
With the approval of BESS, the investment value of Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park is £2bn, according to Carlton chief executive and founder Keith Clarke.
“The investment in the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park over the next two-five years demonstrates Carlton’s long-term vision and commitment to re-energising the Trafford site,” he said.
Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, praised the planning department’s decision.
“The Trafford BESS, alongside the Trafford Green Hydrogen scheme, places Trafford and Greater Manchester at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition,” Ross 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.”
Chris McKerrow, head of Carlton’s European BESS development, said he was “delighted” to have planning consent for the project.
“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,” McKerrow said.
Elsewhere in the North West, Carlton has plans for a £40m green hydrogen plant in Barrow-in-Furness. This facility would be capable of delivering enough power to supply 10,000 homes each year.
