Green energy boost for Greater Manchester as planning approval granted for world’s largest battery energy storage scheme

Planning approval has been granted for energy infrastructure development company, Carlton Power, to build the world’s largest battery energy storage scheme (BESS) at Greater Manchester’s Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park.

The £750 million, 1 GW project will strengthen the resilience of the North-west’s energy system and support the transition and growth of renewable power generation in the region. Unlike with traditional coal and gas power generation that can be increased or decreased with electricity demand, renewable sources such as wind and solar can see the amount of electricity generated vary with weather conditions. Battery energy storage allows for excess energy produced to be stored and later accessed when demand for electricity is higher.

Following planning approval by Trafford Council, construction on the battery storage scheme is set to begin in the first quarter of 2024, with the scheme entering commercial operation by late 2025. Carlton Power is in advanced talks with companies to finance, build and operate the Trafford BESS.

Keith Clarke, Founder and Chief Executive of Carlton Power said:

“Carlton Power acquired the 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.  The investment in the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park over the next 2-5 years demonstrates Carlton’s long-term vision and commitment to re-energising the Trafford site.”

Cllr Tom Ross, the leader of Trafford Council and Green City-Region lead for Greater Manchester, said:

“The Trafford BESS, alongside the Trafford Green Hydrogen scheme, places Trafford and Greater Manchester at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition. The two schemes will help address our climate crisis – one of Trafford Council’s corporate priorities – and will support our region’s plan to reach a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2038.  I applaud Carlton Power’s long-term vision in developing the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park.”

The Trafford BESS is Carlton Power’s second major energy project going forward on the 12 hectare Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park. A 200 MW Trafford Green Hydrogen scheme is set to enter commercial operation by the final quarter of 2025 after receiving planning consent in September 2022, linking with the HyNet cluster of hydrogen infrastructure already moving forward in the wider North-west region.

Chris McKerrow, Head of Carlton Power’s European BESS Development added:

“Our BESS scheme will make a significant contribution to the resilience of the North West’s energy system and, combined with our green hydrogen scheme and the cryobattery project, underlines Trafford Park’s importance to the energy transition in the region and the journey towards Net Zero.

“Trafford Council and other local organisations, like the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, recognize the importance of the BESS and the green hydrogen scheme to the energy transition, to inward investment and to the regeneration of land, much of it vacant for over 20 years. We are delighted to have secured planning consent for the world’s largest BESS and our focus now turns towards financing and building the scheme.”