Berkswell Battery Energy Storage System
Introducing Berkswell BESS
Where is the proposed BESS?
Anglo Renewables has submitted a planning application (PL/2023/01595/PPFL) to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council for a battery energy storage system (BESS) on land to the east of Hodgetts Lane, Burton Green, Coventry, near CV8 1PH.
The project is in a preliminary stage and we would like your views on the development proposals.
BESS allow renewable energy to be efficiently stored and supplied to the grid when it’s needed. With BESS we can use renewable energy to power our homes and businesses when the wind stops blowing and the sun isn’t shining. BESS facilities store electricity when demand is low or there is over-supply and release it back to the grid when demand is high. Moreover, they can provide ‘system security’, supplying energy during electricity outages, thus minimising disruption and costs.
Draft Government Policy (EN-1) makes clear that energy storage has a key role to play in achieving Net Zero and providing flexibility to the energy system, so that high volumes of low carbon power, heat and transport can be integrated. The National Grid estimates that over 100GWh of energy storage will be required to meet the UK’s Net Zero target by 2050.
The proposed development would be located on land to the east of Hodgetts Lane, Burton Green, Coventry, near CV8 1PH.
The site extends to approximately 3 acres. The proposal also includes biodiversity and landscape enhancement measures, such as new hedgerow planting and gapping up of existing hedgerows. This helps to contribute to the overall biodiversity and landscape scheme which will be developed as part of the scheme.
The development will include the construction of a battery storage compound within secure fencing. Within the fence perimeter will be battery storage containers, inverter units, Power control systems, DNO and customer control rooms and a customer switchroom. A servicing storage container will also be installed.
Access to the site will be via the existing access located close to the Berkswell substation.
Once operational, there will be minimal traffic generated by the proposals. The proposed development is temporary (40 years). The site will be restored to prior use once the proposed development has been decommissioned.
Benefits
It will assist Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in meeting its pledge to become a carbon-neutral authority by 2041, in addition to supporting its response to the Climate Emergency the Council declared in October 2019.
Introducing BESS into the energy mix allows the electricity network to “balance” generation against demand, supporting the UK’s urgent need for energy security.
The BESS would support the UK’s transition to a low carbon future, hitting its target of cutting carbon emissions by 78% by 2035.
BESS maximises the use of renewable energy sources and reduces the need for expensive imported gas and fossil fuel power plants.
It would help the National Grid to use renewable energy to power our homes and businesses when there’s minimal wind and no daylight.
It will provide flexibility through rapid charge or discharge of electricity to allow the National Grid to regulate electricity supply and demand whilst minimising greenhouse gas emissions.
• No public rights of way will be closed during or after construction of the proposed development.
• New hedgerow planting is proposed and existing hedgerows will be gapped up, contributing to the overall biodiversity and landscape scheme which will be developed as part of the scheme.
• The proposed scheme will not require any Government subsidy.
• Anglo Renewables is committed to using local suppliers during construction and operation where possible.
• There will be minimal noise associated with the BESS. A noise assessment will be undertaken to identify potential noise implications and to propose mitigation measures if they are deemed necessary.
• A welfare unit and storage container will be installed as part of the proposal to ensure the safety of the BESS and the surrounding area.
You are invited to our public consultation events where you can see our plans, learn about the proposal and talk to the project team.
Our previous public consultations were held at:
Balsall Common Village Hall, 112 Station Road, Balsall Common on Thursday 2nd February 2023 (14:00-19:00)
Jordan Room, St. John Baptist Church, Church Lane, Berkswell, CV7 7BJ on Wednesday 8th February 2023 (14:00-19:00)
Our next public consultation will be held at:
Burton Green Village Hall, Red Ln, Burton Green, Kenilworth, CV8 1PF on Tuesday 18th April 2023 (16.00-19.00).
The consultation materials presented at these events may be found below.
Anglo Renewables are working at the forefront of the UK’s transition to a greener, low carbon economy through identifying and developing solar sites and BESS projects across the country. We are supporting the country’s legislated target of reaching Net Zero by 2050 and the global movement to tackle climate change.
Energy storage can play a significant role in the UK’s response to both the climate and biodiversity emergencies by supporting healthy ecosystems, whilst avoiding the emissions from fossil fuel burning power stations.
For more information on Anglo Renewables please visit our website.
About Berkswell Charities
The land for the proposed BESS is owned by Berkswell Charities. Over the past 12 years, Berkswell Charities has provided approximately 1.6 million in funding to charitable causes.
Berkswell Charities have their roots in the 1450s with the village Church, St John Baptist, being integral to the relief of poverty. The aim of the Charity is to provide and maintain a site for a school in Berkswell and to relieve poverty by the provision of accommodation
in the form of Almshouses, an early form of social or affordable housing.
In addition to this, the Charity provides donations to many organisations and initiatives in the local area. Local organisations such as Berkswell Scouts, Hornets Football Club, Heart of England School, Balsall Street Primary School, the Reading Room in Berkswell owned by the Lant Trust, the Jubilee Centre, and St Peters Church have all benefitted from donations from Berkswell Charities.
If the proposed development is approved, the rent the BESS facility provides will allow Berkswell Charities to fund more initiatives in the local area.
Project Timeline
February 2023
March 2023
May 2023
August 2023
2024/2025
Pre-Submission Consultation
Finalise proposed design
Submit planning application
Planning decision
Operational (if granted approval)
Contact Us.
Please provide your contact details if you wish to get a response.
Any information provided will only be used for the purpose of the planning application to the Local Planning Authority and will not be disclosed with any third parties.
Please view Alpaca Communications’ privacy policy here.