Renewable Power Capital (RPC) and Greenfield have been granted planning permission for a battery energy storage system (BESS) project in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales.
The 49.9MW Cardiff BESS is the third project that the partners have progressed to this stage, having already secured planning permission for two separate projects – Steventon and Tredington – in 2024.
The combined capacity of the partnership’s projects with planning permission is now 112.7MW.
Construction work at Cardiff is expected to last for six to 12 months. Once completed, the BESS will be connected to the distribution network, with an expected connection date of 2030.
Energy storage is expected to play a vital role in providing the flexibility needed to achieve the UK Government’s target of decarbonising the electricity grid by 2030.
RPC and Greenfield say they are committed to improving natural habitats at all of their sites. For the Cardiff BESS project, the partners aim to improve biodiversity at the site through the enhancement of existing hedgerows and the creation of new species-rich grassland.
Since signing the development partnership with Greenfield in May 2023, RPC has grown its battery storage pipeline to more than 5.5GW across the UK, Italy, and Finland.
Senior vice president for UK and Poland development at RPC Cyrille Sokpor said: “We’re delighted to receive planning permission for yet another UK BESS project that will make a timely contribution to the Government’s goal of decarbonising the electricity system by 2030.
“BESS is an essential component of a stable and flexible grid, providing power when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining, and we at RPC are proud to be delivering this important technology.
“We know that Greenfield shares our ambition to deliver clean energy to communities, and it is a pleasure to work alongside such an experienced developer.”
Greenfield’s UK managing director David Ring said: “Securing planning permission for Cardiff is another important step forward in our partnership with Renewable Power Capital.
“At Greenfield, we’re committed to building a resilient and flexible energy infrastructure across the UK, and this milestone brings us closer to that goal.
“The Cardiff project not only supports grid stability but also aligns with our commitment to biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
“We’re proud to be advancing a portfolio that combines clean energy development with ecological enhancement.”