Aura Power secures planning approval for 100-MW UK battery

UK solar and energy storage developer Aura Power on Monday said it has secured planning permission for a 100-MW battery energy storage system (BESS) at Drax.

Selby District Council approved the project on May 11. Construction is expected to start in 2024 after a construction traffic management plan has been agreed with the council.

The battery, capable of powering more than 26,000 homes at peak demand, will support the country’s transition to 100% renewable and nuclear electricity by 2035, the developer says.

The project has secured a grid connection at the nearby Drax Power Station.

The Drax battery scheme approval comes after Aura Power recently obtained planning permissions for two UK battery storage projects, representing a total of 190 MW. It says it has an additional development battery storage pipeline of over 3 GW in the UK and abroad.

“We have included extensive hedgerow and tree planting around the entire perimeter as well as a bund to the north of the development which will help screen it from view,” Aura Power UK BESS development manager Peter Thomas explained and added that the company will also resurface the access lane proposed for construction.

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