Balance Power has received approval for a 30MW battery storage project in North Tawton, Devon.
The facility should provide enough energy to power up to 90,000 homes during peak demand hours and accelerating the region’s transition to net zero.
The project is the first of several battery developments set to be announced by the independent energy developer in the southwest of England over the coming months.
The region is already extensively supported by renewable technologies in the form of wind and solar.
Battery storage plays a critical role in balancing their intermittent generation whilst ensuring stability and flexibility as the UK transitions towards net zero.
Positioned behind the existing North Tawton BSP, the battery storage system will future proof the region’s security of supply whilst also bringing net gains in biodiversity.
The project was granted development approval by West Devon Borough Council, and will begin construction in early 2022, to be fully operational in Q1 2023.
Specialising in solar, battery storage, and peaking technologies, Balance Power has been leading the way in decentralised energy projects since 2017, working with landowners, communities, and councils in the UK, to decarbonise in line with national targets.
This project will form part of the company’s ever-expanding portfolio, which currently includes 30 consented projects, 252MW of delivered capacity, and over 1GW of battery storage and solar projects under development nationwide.
Balance Power chief executive Phil Thompson said: “We are proud to be delivering this project in North Tawton.
“As the UK transitions to net zero, investment in a decentralised, home-grown clean energy system is of critical importance to balance distribution, stabilise the grid, and protect consumers from fuel poverty over the long term.”
“Our in-house team’s deep knowledge and experience of successfully implementing different technologies means we’re able to provide fully tailored solutions to deliver maximum impact and results.
“This location provides a snapshot of what we hope to achieve in other areas of the country where renewable uptake is low.
“We’re excited to get this project underway early next year and look forward to more to come in the region over the coming months.”
Balance Power planning manager Jack Hulme said: “I’m very proud of this project; we tailored our approach and were able to facilitate a solution that used a smaller parcel of land for the most suitable technology.
“This allowed the continued use of the agricultural landholding whilst enhancing the biodiversity of the local area through increased planting, hedgerows, and a wildflower meadow.
“It’s great to see the local community in North Tawton and the wider southwest region continuing to support positive contributions to the UK’s transition to net zero.”