A NEW project which will help 'keep the lights on' in Herefordshire has been approved.

Energy Reservoirs has been given permission to build a battery energy storage project next to the Dormington substation – a scheme that will equate to a 20 million watt battery, which is believed to be one of the largest in the world.

The huge energy storage system (ESS) will comprise battery storage containers, ancillary buildings, security fencing, CCTV, landscaping and substation.

Andrew Allen, from Energy Reservoirs, said: "National Grid, the UK’s electricity transmission system operator must ensure that the total amount of energy being fed into the grid matches the amount of electricity being taken off the grid by consumers.

"As the UK energy market faces numerous changes and uncertainties, due in part to the decommissioning of old generating assets (around two-thirds of our existing power stations are expected to close down by 2030 as our coal, nuclear and gas fired power stations reach the end of their lives), changes in consumer demands and the introduction of more distributed generation, National Grid forecasts a £200m to £250m per year increase in the cost of controlling the grid by 2020. In order to minimise this cost being passed on to consumers, ESS developments can ‘time shift’ the supply of energy, in order to store the energy when its value and/or price is low and then releasing this low cost, stored energy back to the grid during times of peak demand."

While ESS developments can make the best and most efficient use of renewable energy resources such as wind and solar, the county scheme is totally independent and non-reliant on the local renewable energy generation stations in this vicinity.

Mr Allen said the future of the local generation capacity and local demand is not yet known, with further investment in local energy infrastructure dependent on a multitude of factors.

"It should also be noted that this development is in no way related to or associated with any future planned projects in this area and forms part of a UK-wide requirement for ESS developments to supply the National Grid at appropriate distribution points," he said.

"However, it is noted that as populations grow, increased demands will be placed on the National Grid, not only from residential properties, but the amenities, industries and businesses which will be required to support growing populations.

"This development will therefore be a direct benefit to the local population, giving a level of comfort and security that the lights are going to stay on, whilst supporting the continued strategic development of the Herefordshire and the wider area."