Westcroft (Exeter) battery storage

We are proposing a battery electricity storage system (BESS) of up to 57MW (megawatts) close to the existing National Grid ESO Exeter substation between Broadclyst village and Whimple, just west of Saundercroft Farm.

The size and design of the scheme has been developed specifically to have as minimal impact as possible and to suit the location, having a relatively small footprint and located in a well screened area.

These battery systems are essential to help Britain reach its climate goals as we move away from using electricity generated from fossil fuels to using only power from low-carbon and renewable sources.

How we generate electricity is changing:

Britain was once powered almost entirely by coal – it was burnt to make electricity or heated to produce coal gas or town gas. Major power stations were built close to our large coal fields, and larger towns and cities, and the electricity grid spread like a web around the country.

As we transition to a zero-carbon electricity grid, BESS are needed to unlock the full potential of renewable energy in the UK by storing power generated during periods of oversupply, such as when it is windy, and then releasing such power back into the national electrical network when there is greater demand.

By balancing supply and demand, the battery facility will increase the resiliency of the electricity system and allow more renewables to come onto the grid, reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainable economic growth.

The site

The site has recently been used for grazing and growing hay. It is classed as grade 3b farmland, and so it not regarded as “best and most versatile” for planning purposes.

Importantly, it is very close to the National Grid Exeter substation and we have secured a connection directly to the grid at this point. This means the system will be very efficient with minimal loss of energy through the cabling due to transmission loss.

The site lies immediately to the east of a solar farm, and is already well screened from the road with mature hedgerows and the visual impact of the proposal will be minimal.

An image of the proposed site layout and surrounding area can be seen below:

Q: Why this location?

The site lies very close to the major Exeter substation which is where we have secured a connection, meaning that the cable route can be very short. Electricity is always subject to transmission loss which increases over distance, so the less cable needed, the better. It will also reduce the impact on the local community with no requirement to lay cable along roads in the area.

We are passionate about developing net zero infrastructure such as batteries because we want to tackle climate change and reduce it’s impact on the environment. This scheme falls outside East Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is not in a conservation area. However, we have specifically designed our proposal to have as little impact as possible, choosing the location due it being well screened by an existing solar farm and mature hedgerows that are already in place.

Q: Will this be a permanent feature?

We are seeking permission for the site to be used for BESS for 30 years. As this would be a time-limited approval, the land would revert to its former greenfield designation and would not be classed as previously developed. Should there be a continuing need for the site for energy storage after 30 years, we would need to submit a new planning application.

Q: There has been quite a lot of energy-related development in the area – what about cumulative impacts?

One of the key factors that dictates the location of renewable infrastructure, such as batteries, is where there is an available connection into the National Grid. As a result, energy-related development takes place close to substations such as the major Exeter substation.

However, it is our responsibility to design a scheme suitable for the local area. Once our Westcroft (Exeter) battery is constructed there will be very little sign that our site is there, thanks to natural screening by the surrounding hedgerows. In the construction phase we would work with the highway authority to minimise disruption as much as possible.

Q: How long will construction take?

A: Construction is expected to take nine to 12 months and a construction management plan will be submitted with the application, covering matters such as working hours, noise and vibration, dust, wheel washing, and traffic routes. We would look to ensure that impact is kept to a minimum and that the site is developed in a responsible way.

Q: How many homes will this be able to power?

Typically, an installation such as this will store enough electricity to power over 100,000 homes for two hours. That, of course, depends on how much energy the homes use, and the time of year.

Q: Shouldn’t infrastructure like this be on brownfield land?

The closer a BESS can be located to existing electricity infrastructure the better, because a proportion of electricity is always lost in transmission. The further it travels the more is lost because some of it is converted into heat inside the cables. BESS need to be close to connection points agreed between operators and the National Grid, such as at the Exeter Substation.

All local planning authorities are required to keep registers of brownfield land available and potentially suitable for redevelopment. The nearest registered brownfield land is six miles away in Ottery St Mary.

Q: Will the site be lit up at night?

There may be some lighting required during the construction phase but this would be used as little as possible to minimise disturbance. Some security lighting may be necessary but this would only be triggered in the event of disturbance. Lighting would in all cases be directed into the site rather than upwards, to minimise impacts on neighbours and on wildlife.

Q: What’s happening in the rest of the country?

More and more battery storage systems are being proposed across the UK. This is because, according to National Grid’s Future Energy Scenario for 2023, up to 30GW of electricity storage will be required in the UK by 2050.

This will support the increased installation of renewable generation. It will also help to create a smarter, more flexible energy system.

Q: Will this mean cheaper electricity for me?

We can’t say that because the price of electricity is set using complex formulas, and domestic bills are regulated to an extent by Ofgem price caps.

But we can say that making the best use of home-grown clean energy and moving away from expensive fossil fuels will reduce our reliance on energy imports, helping to protect households and businesses from future price shocks.

Further information

EDF Renewables is working with KOR Communications in Broadclyst to help inform local residents and members of the community about the project. For more information, please give a member of the project team at KOR Communications a call on 01392 240881 or email

BESS-community@edf-re.uk