This project will play a key role in stabilising the grid by storing renewable energy during peak production times and supplying it when demand is high, with the potential to power around 26,700 homes.
The importance of community consultation
The approval from South Gloucestershire was granted through a delegated decision after a comprehensive community consultation process.
Feedback led to significant adjustments in the design, scale, and location of the facility to meet local expectations. The project will span 2.3 hectares and include 19 battery units, contributing to an annual reduction of 18,300 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to taking 13,000 cars off the road.
Enhancing renewable energy storage
The Iron Acton Grid Supply Point (GSP) network currently connects 120MW of solar and wind energy, with an additional 750MW of solar connections planned. Balance Power’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will be essential for storing excess energy generated by these renewables, ensuring a stable energy supply during peak demand times.
Although a 100MW grid connection has been secured at the Iron Acton GSP, ongoing discussions with National Grid aim to bring the initial energisation date forward from June 2036. Balance Power is actively working to advance the project timeline.
The project will include a biodiversity enhancement plan, ensuring a 10% increase in habitat units and a 119% boost in hedgerow units, showcasing Balance Power’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Oliver Pettersen, connections manager at Balance Power, said: “Securing planning permission for Iron Acton is a significant milestone and is set to make a sizeable impact on local clean energy reliability.
Excess power generation
“With extensive solar development in the Iron Acton area, this project will be pivotal for managing excess power generation and more broadly for balancing out the supply and demand of renewable energy, helping to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
“Due to the size and scale of the project, it also marks a big step forward for the UK’s transition to net zero, which depends upon battery storage projects that provide stability for a decarbonised grid.
“We’re grateful for the support from South Gloucestershire and the community – it’s due to our collective efforts and close collaboration that we’ve reached this brilliant outcome.”
Since 2017, Balance Power has been at the forefront of decentralised energy projects across the UK, working with stakeholders to meet decarbonisation targets. With nearly 2GW of projects in development, the company continues to drive the transformation of the UK’s energy infrastructure.
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