Clearstone Energy seeking planning consent for 800MWh UK battery

Clearstone Energy is seeking planning consent for a 400MW / 800MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Devon in the UK. 

The Junction 27 Energy Hub is located on ‘low-grade’ agricultural land alongside existing road, rail and electrical infrastructure on the M5 corridor in Devon. The South West of England generates more solar energy than any other region of the UK. It is also the furthest point on the transmission network away from off-shore wind farms off the east coast  of England and Scotland. 

When fully charged the battery would be capable of storing electricity equivalent to six hours of power for all of the 350,000 homes in Devon. It has the potential to displace around 110,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from gas-fired power stations every year, Clearstone Energy said.

A Clearstone Energy statement said: “The project received broad support from the local community during a public consultation this summer before planning submission. There is significant interest in nature restoration projects within the local community and more than half of the project site for the Junction 27 Energy Hub project has been set aside for initiatives that will enhance nature and wildlife. This includes the creation of wetland habitats and water meadows adjacent to a nearby river.”

Ben Pratt, founder of Clearstone Energy, said: “The UK has made tremendous progress with transitioning from fossil fuel electricity generation to large-scale wind and solar. Increasing UK battery storage capacity is critical to delivering the clean, affordable and secure UK energy system that the renewable energy transition offers.”