The largest battery storage site in the UK has been proposed for part of a former power station site on the outskirts of Doncaster.
The Banks Group, behind several solar and onshore wind developments in Yorkshire, is seeking to take advantage of the 1,450MW connection to the National Grid - a legacy from what was coal-fired Thorpe Marsh, with a desire to create a “groundbreaking green energy hub”.
The generator was decommissioned in 1994, and it is hoped the sprawling 65-hectare site could be transformed to store up to 2.8GW of electricity, helping balance renewables input into the system - with the proximity to the wind farms of the Humber highlighted. A comprehensive consultation will begin next month.
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Lewis Stokes, senior community relations manager at The Banks Group, said: “This is a nationally important project that will put South Yorkshire at the forefront of developments in the increasingly important energy storage industry.
“Our vision is to deliver a range of long-term environmental, energy security, employment, economic and community benefits through the reclamation and restoration of this landmark site while also supporting the UK’s drive towards its crucial net zero targets.
“The Thorpe Marsh Green Energy Hub would utilise the site’s large grid capacity to facilitate the increased deployment of renewable energy technologies on the National Grid network, so that more of the energy that we all use in our homes, businesses, schools and hospitals can be generated via renewable means.”
Located between the M18 and A19 - one of several in the area including Drax, Eggborough, and Ferrybridge to be built by the county’s collieries - the first phase of the project proposes to progressively remove and reclaim the power station’s former ash disposal area. More than two million tonnes of pulverised fuel ash could be reclaimed over a five-year period, to be used as a secondary aggregate to make concrete blocks. An existing rail connection would be refurbished to handle the material.
Mr Stokes added: “Thorpe Marsh’s existing grid connection and its proximity to where much of the energy that will be produced by the east coast’s growing portfolio of wind farms will come ashore makes it an excellent location for this project, and we are excited to develop designs for what we believe will be the UK’s largest battery storage facility.
“We have an extensive track record in every aspect of the project we’re proposing to deliver and believe our plans offer the optimum way in which to turn a long-derelict site into a valuable community asset that delivers extensive environmental, energy and biodiversity benefits across the UK.”
On the latter wetlands, woodlands and species-rich grassland would be introduced, complementing existing neighbouring land.
Planning applications for the different parts of the project could be submitted to Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council in the coming months, with Banks hoping to be able to begin work on site by 2024 if approved. Banks’ team is currently working through the battery design process and is hoping to have the flexible energy hub up and running by the middle of the decade.
The Durham-headquartered firm has owned the land for more than 20 years, having bought alongside fellow North East firm Able UK, who looked after the demolition of the infrastructure on the eastern split.
Banks will hold a surgery event at Barnby Dun Parish Hall, the neighbouring village, between 2pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday, November 2.
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