Cambridge Power obtains permit for 50-MW battery in Essex

UK energy storage developer Cambridge Power Ltd on Thursday said it has obtained planning permission for a 50-MW battery in Essex, eastern England.

The company’s application has been approved by the planning committee at Tendring District Council.

The planned battery energy storage system (BESS) will be located next to the Lawford substation in Essex. It replaces a gas-peaker plant previously proposed to be built on the same site.

The BESS project is part of a 800-MW portfolio that Cambridge Power agreed in early 2022 to develop with Brookfield Renewable.

The developer said that it has so far has secured planning permission for 259 MW of storage and another 407.5 MW is submitted for planning.

Neil Waterson, head of planning at Cambridge Power, called for faster grid connections. “We hope to commence construction at this site before the end of 2023, however, like many other companies we are having to endure long delays due to National Grid withholding connections to the grid network, which must be addressed to help facilitate more renewable energy into the grid network to help reach Net Zero targets,” said Waterson.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!