Plans submitted for battery storage facility

The facility would be on land currently used as Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm

A renewable energy company has put forward plans to build a battery storage facility in Catsfield, East Sussex.

In an application to Rother District Council, Elgin Energy EsCo Ltd asked for planning permission to erect a facility containing a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land to the south of the B2204.

It would take energy from National Grid at times of excess power generation, store it and then feed it back into the system at times of high need, reducing reliance on natural gas.

The plans include the creation of wetland, native hedgerow and tree planting, rural tree planting, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A statement submitted with the application said: "National policy and guidance are strongly supportive of renewable energy as a means of meeting our increasing energy demands, tackling climate change, and transitioning to a prosperous and low-carbon sustainable economy.

"BESS facilities are recognised as being not just necessary, but central to meeting an urgent need in a declared climate emergency.

"Energy storage plays a crucial part in the drive to net-zero and provides the capability to store renewable energy for release instantaneously at times of demand, helping to stabilise energy security. It also guards against the prospect of renewable energy being 'lost' to the grid through network constraints at the time of generation."

The facility would be to the south of the B2204

The application proposes to build the facility on land currently part of the Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm, although that business would be able to continue.

The application also notes how the facility is in close proximity to the National Grid's Ninfield substation and would be well-screened by vegetation.

It would be expected to have a total power output of up to 99.9 megawatts (MW), although battery technology still evolving the developer is unable to yet say precisely how many battery units would be on the site and what exact form they would take.

The units would be similar to shipping containers and include monitoring equipment, sprinklers and built-in explosion protection features.