In addition to this site, Conrad Energy began construction of a 6MW battery in August (pictured). Image: Conrad Energy.
Conrad Energy has gained planning permission for a 50MW two-hour battery energy storage system in North Petherton, Somerset.
The site will be the developer's biggest battery energy storage system yet. It is being designed using the local topography to conceal the scheme within the landscape.
In addition, planting and landscaping will be used to boost the local habitat, with an estimated biodiversity net gain score of 22.3% and 100% for hedgerow units.
“With biodiversity gain built into the design for this site from the start, we are delighted to have successfully achieved planning permission,” said Chris Shears, Conrad Energy’s chief development officer.
“Battery energy storage projects like this one are vital to the energy transition. Contributing to the local ecological system is just one of the ways we work with communities to ensure our projects can facilitate the rapid transition to renewable energy which the UK needs to achieve.”
The site permission follows Conrad Energy kicking off construction of a 6MW/12MWh battery energy storage system in Somerset in August. Its 15MW four-hour system in Plympton, Devon also recently gained planning approval, and its Larport in Herefordshire site was awarded planning approval in May.
Whilst in October 2021, the company signed a deal with GE Renewable Energy for the design, manufacture and supply of GE’s battery energy storage system, with Conrad looking to deploy 104MWh of the technology around the UK.