Major Rochdale battery energy plant granted planning permission

Salford-based battery energy storage system (BESS) specialist, Root-Power, has received planning permission for a new 30MW/60MWh battery energy storage site in Rochdale.

The site will be able to power 60,000 homes for a period of two hours once fully operational.

The site was initially identified because of its limited potential for agricultural use, with the land currently used for advertising boards.

The development occupies just 0.6 acres but has potential to be augmented and will be able to increase its size as local need requires.

The proximity of the nearby M62 motorway was a major planning consideration but also aided the development due to the high levels of ambient background noise levels.

The Root-Power team secured approval via delegated decision in under five months with no outstanding objections from any statutory consultees.

Neil Brooks, Root-Power managing director, said: “We’re excited to announce we’ve secured planning permission for a 30MW project in Rochdale.

“Greater Manchester is one of the most energy-intensive regions in the UK and this project at Rochdale will add key resilience and security to the local network.”

He added: “Once fully operational, the project will be capable of powering 70% of the households in Rochdale.

“We are looking forward to an exciting few months ahead, with our flagship project due to go live shortly, three projects going through detailed design, and planning decisions being received on a weekly basis.”

Ellen Road is the sixth BESS site that Root-Power has been awarded planning permission in the past three months.

Last month it announced it had received planning permission for a 100MW site in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.