EDF Renewables UK has won planning approval for a new grid-scale battery in Braintree, Essex, that will support the transition to an electricity system powered by renewables.
The 57 MW battery storage facility near Braintree is expected to begin construction in early 2024, with the aim of being operational in early 2025. This investment from EDF Renewables UK will support Essex with its ambitions of becoming a net zero county by 2050 to help tackle the climate crisis.[1] The Braintree District alone needs to see a reduction of 576,000 tonnes of CO2 to meet its decarbonisation targets.[2]
To support a smooth transition to a renewables-based system, the UK needs to invest in technologies such as storage to maximise its benefits, enabling greater stability and reliability that will allow us to power our homes.
National Grid forecasts suggest the UK could need up to 35 GW of electricity storage by 2050 to provide the flexibility needed to manage electricity supply and demand as the UK pivots to intermittent renewables.
Simone Sullivan, Head of Storage at EDF Renewables UK, said: “We are delighted that our plans to develop a battery storage facility near Braintree have been approved.
“There is no doubt that adding a greater amount of renewables into the UK’s electricity system will be central to our fight against climate change. Battery storage is an important part of enabling this, helping to future-proof the grid and cost-effectively integrate more renewable power.”
The Braintree battery storage site will be co-located with a solar farm, which will shortly be submitted for planning consent, helping to meet the country’s need for low carbon energy.
[1]https://assets.ctfassets.net/knkzaf64jx5x/I9s2K8YmSWTjxDOU7qjSz/e1a2c27e79661f691c8af5687c34d70e/Net-Zero-Report-Making-Essex-Carbon-Neutral.pdf
[2] https://www.braintree.gov.uk/downloads/file/3374/climate-change-strategy-updated-september-2021
