A major project to build one of the UK's largest battery energy storage facilities near a former power station in Nottinghamshire has received approval after a successful planning appeal. The 1.2GW facility, planned for land off West Leake Lane in Ratcliffe-on-Soar, will play a crucial role in balancing the electricity grid, preventing energy waste, and ensuring a reliable and sustainable power supply. The project's approval marks a significant step towards achieving the UK's net-zero targets and highlights the increasing importance of battery storage for managing renewable energy sources.
One of the UK's largest battery energy storage facilities is set to be constructed near a former power station in Nottinghamshire following a successful planning appeal. Sandbrook Capital BES Ltd., the company behind the project, secured approval from the government's Planning Inspectorate after an initial rejection by Rushcliffe Borough Council. The 1.
2GW facility, planned for land off West Leake Lane in Ratcliffe-on-Soar, will comprise 168 battery containers, 84 transformers, and multiple substations, all enclosed within a 2.4-meter-high fence. Construction is expected to commence within three years. Paul Sawbridge, Director of Sandbrook Capital, hailed the decision as a milestone for both the company and the UK's energy sector. He emphasized the crucial role the facility will play in balancing the electricity grid, preventing energy waste, and ensuring a reliable and sustainable power supply. The facility's ability to store and distribute renewable energy efficiently is seen as essential for achieving the UK's net-zero targets. Originally, Rushcliffe Borough Council rejected the plans citing their inappropriateness within the Green Belt. However, this reason was disregarded following an update to national planning guidance in December 2024. The Planning Inspectorate carefully weighed the broader impact of the development on the local area. While acknowledging that the project would bring a change to the predominantly rural landscape, Inspector C. McDonagh ultimately determined that the benefits outweighed the potential harm. The inspector highlighted the urgent need for increased energy storage capacity, particularly for renewable sources like wind and solar power. By storing excess energy generated during peak production periods, the facility will prevent energy loss and ensure a more stable and reliable electricity grid. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing transformation of the former Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site. Since the last unit ceased operation in September 2024, the site has been earmarked for various projects, including a quarry extracting up to 1 million tonnes of mineral and a hub for activities ranging from advanced manufacturing to low-carbon hydrogen production. The 280-hectare site is being repurposed into three distinct zones, each planned for a phased decommissioning process. A contract for the demolition of the power station, including its iconic cooling towers, is expected to be finalized early this year. Once the decommissioning is complete, the site is anticipated to generate between 7,000 and 8,000 jobs. The area also forms part of the East Midlands Freeport, one of three tax sites aimed at boosting economic growth.
Battery Energy Storage Renewable Energy Net-Zero Targets Planning Approval Ratcliffe-On-Soar Power Station UK Energy Sector
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