£45m renewable energy storage facility gets the green light in Leicestershire

Battery energy storage system (BESS) operator, Root-Power has received the green light to build a new £45m renewable energy storage facility in Leicestershire, after gaining planning approval on appeal.

The new 100-megawatt (MW) development situated on the banks of the River Soar near Kegworth, will play a critical role in both storing surplus energy generated from low carbon and renewable sources and then releasing it back to the National Grid.

CGI BESS Kegworth (Image: Root-Power)

The new BESS facility will connect to the local grid infrastructure, helping to support the energy transition away from the former coal-fired Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station to a clean energy hub.

It will also safeguard the needs of business and domestic energy users during peak demand, help reduce energy price volatility and prevent blackouts that cause disruption to local communities and lead to costly downtime for businesses.

In its appeal, Root-Power worked in partnership with the Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authority, to allay concerns around potential flood risks on the site by reiterating its plans to build the facility above ground level and allow flood water to pass underneath. Additional flood water storage through a sunken storage tank has also been incorporated into the final design to provide further defences.

Neil Brooks

Neil Brooks, managing director at Root-Power, said: “We’re delighted to have won our planning appeal to build this new BESS facility in Leicestershire, as it will greatly benefit local people and play a vital environmental role in storing and supplying renewable energy to meet the sustainability needs of the National Grid".

“It will help balance electricity supply during peak grid demand, prevent outages and help stabilise and reduce energy prices that impact thousands of residents and businesses nearby”.

“During the planning phase, we’ve allayed any concerns around flooding and demonstrated a strong commitment to sensitively landscaping areas of the development to achieve high Biodiversity Net Gains that preserve and enhance local wildlife and conservation.

We look forward to providing clean, flexible electricity to the National Grid and safeguarding the power needs of communities in the local area over the next 15-20 years.”