RESIDENTS in Coventry and Solihull will be able to have their say on plans to build the Berkswell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land East of Hodgetts Lane.
Anglo Renewables is set to submit a planning application to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council for the BESS to be developed in Burton Green.
The project, which is in its preliminary stage, aims to allow renewable energy to be efficiently stored and supplied to the grid when needed.
The facilities store electricity when demand is low and release it back to the grid to power homes and businesses.
They can also provide ‘system security’ by supplying energy during electricity outages and minimising disruption and costs.
Energy storage aims to play a key role in achieving Net Zero, with the National Grid estimating over 100GWh of energy storage will be required to meet the UK’s target by 2050.
The site is around three acres, with the proposal including biodiversity and landscape enhancement measures, such as new hedgerow planting.
The development will see a battery storage compound built within secure fencing.
There will be battery storage containers, inverter units, power control systems and a customer switchroom installed as well as a servicing storage container.
An Anglo Renewables spokesperson said there would be ‘minimal traffic’ generated by the proposals and the development would only last for 40 years.
The land is owned by Berkswell Charities, which has provided over £1.6million in funding to charitable causes.
If the proposed development is approved the rent the BESS facility will go to fund local causes.
The site will be restored to its former use once the proposed development has been decommissioned.
The current project timeline would see the site operational by 2025 at the latest.
In-person consultations have taken place but affected residents can still have their say online.
Visit berkswellbess.co.uk to have your say in the consultation and email [email protected] with your views.
