One of the world’s biggest ever batteries could be built in Manchester, northern England, after planning permission was granted for the £750m ($963m) project.
Developer Carlton Power wants to build the battery energy storage scheme (BESS) at the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park, near the Carrington training ground of Manchester United FC.
Carlton is billing the scheme as “the world’s largest BESS” so far, and while other projects around the world have made similar claims, at 1,040MW and 2,080MWh the Trafford project would certainly be up there.
Asked by Recharge where the battery technology will come from and how it will be paid for, a spokesperson for Carlton said the company is “in advanced talks with companies to finance, build and operate the Trafford BESS”.
The company hopes the giant energy storage facility could be operational as soon as 2025, subject to a final investment decision.
The UK has seen a string of huge BESS plans emerge as the nation grapples with the challenge of integrating large quantities of renewable power into its network.
The Trafford BESS is not the only major energy project earmarked for the site, which is also home to a 200MW green hydrogen plan being advanced by Carlton, and to Highview Power’s pioneering liquid-air long duration energy storage plant.
Keith Clarke, Founder and Chief Executive of Carlton Power said: “Carlton Power acquired a former coal fired power station in 2008 to redevelop the site for new energy projects. With the approval of the BESS, this brings the total investment value of the site to £2bn, which will deliver significant economic benefits to the Greater Manchester region and help to deliver the regional net zero targets.”
