Carlton Power has secured planning permission to develop a £750m battery energy storage system in Greater Manchester, the largest project of its kind worldwide.
Located at the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park, the battery energy storage system (BESS) is Carlton’s second scheme approved in the area, with the first being a green hydrogen project.
The BESS project’s planning permission was approved by the Trafford Council. It is expected to begin development in the first quarter of 2024 and will start commercial operation in the final quarter of 2025.
The world-leading battery energy storage system will strengthen energy security in the Northwest of England and help accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Speaking on the development, Councillor 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.”
BESS will provide 1GW of energy to the region
Carlton’s BESS will be situated on the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park – just eight miles south of Manchester. The site is located close to the Manchester Ship Canal and the Carrington flexible gas-fired power station.
Once operational, the battery energy storage system will produce 1GW (1040MW / 2080MWh) of power for the region, helping to decarbonise the area’s energy supply.
Keith Clarke, Founder and Chief Executive of Carlton Power, commented: “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.”
Trafford site will become a leading global hub for clean energy
Alongside BESS, the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park will also host Carlton’s green hydrogen scheme and Highview Power Storage’s cryobattery project.
The green hydrogen project will produce 200MW of power, making it the UK’s largest green hydrogen scheme. It was consented to by Trafford Council in September 2022, and Carlton has also secured planning for one of the UK’s first hydrogen pipelines at the Trafford site.
Highview Power Storage Inc. is also planning to develop the world’s first commercial liquid air storage system, costing £250m and generating 250MWh.
Chris McKerrow, Head of Carlton Power’s European BESS Development, said: “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.
“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.”
