7 Battery Energy Storage (BESS) Sites
08/03/24
AWP have been very pleased to work in the transition to a low carbon economy with Aardvark Environmental and their clients Conrad Energy and Clinton Devon Estate to help deliver 7 new battery energy storage sites.
The 6 sites with Conrad across the south west from Cornwall to Swindon will provide addition local resilience to the local energy network. All bar one now have a planning permission with AWP providing drainage strategy work and construction stage transport advice.
Whilst these projects are temporary in nature with a projected life of 40 years the drainage arrangements are still required to demonstrate that they conform to national Planning Policy and local LLFA requirements.
In some cases the local topography and geology allows for enhanced ecological mitigation through water bodies, swales or ditches to help improve local natural capital which would exist permanently.
Addressing the perceived transport impacts on the rural, often narrow, lanes can lead to swept path assessment of construction routes to demonstrate that the sites are fully accessible during construction for the scale of vehicles expected to be used.
We are pleased that there have been no drainage or highways reasons to prevent bringing forward these innovative new features of our enhanced national grid and look forward to the next tranche of activity.
Images: all courtesy Conrad Energy