Goodrest Farm BESS

We use Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to store renewable energy, such as solar and wind, and release it when power is most needed. While their primary function is to capture surplus clean electricity and discharge it later, they also provide essential grid stability services. For example, they help us manage voltage and frequency imbalances caused by fluctuations in renewable energy generation. 

Across the UK, we lose large amounts of renewable energy, like wind and solar, when we cannot immediately use it because we lack sufficient storage capacity.

In 2024, consumers paid more than £393 million to discard 8.3 TWh of wind energy due to a lack of battery storage infrastructure. This lost energy could have powered approximately 2.3 million homes during that time. Instead, the UK was forces to rely on gas imports from foreign markets.

To meet the UK’s net-zero goals and reduce dependency on fossil fuels, it is essential to expand BESS capacity – from 5GW to more than 22GW before 2030.

At Grenergy, we are proud to be part of this green energy transition, with our projects setting a new benchmark for renewable energy solutions delivered at the right scale, in the right place.

We chose this site because of its proximity to a viable connection point to the grid network. The Kitwell substation offers a cost-effective and timely connection, which directly impacts the affordability of electricity for end users.

We conducted a detailed site assessment of the area around the National Grid substation, evaluating factors such as proximity to the transmission system, potential impacts on residential and ecological sites, planning restrictions, topography, and ground conditions. After careful consideration, we determined this location to be the most suitable.

We recognize that the site falls within a Greenbelt area, so we are committed to delivering local benefits, including a biodiversity net gain, a community benefit fund, and creating local employment opportunities.

We are committed to minimizing traffic impacts during the construction period through careful route planning and traffic management. Once the site becomes operational, traffic will reduce significantly, averaging only 1–2 vans per week. A full Construction Transport Management Plan will accompany our planning application.

The batteries themselves produce very little noise, however, cooling fans are required to maintain the batteries at the correct temperature which emit some noise. With any planning application a detailed Noise Assessment is completed to ensure the plant causes no detriment to local sound levels.

Our BESS sites typically consist of shipping containers approximately 2.9 meters high. These containers can be easily screened using landscaping techniques like bunding, planting trees, and restoring hedgerows. The most visible part of the site is likely the electrical infrastructure at the onsite substation, which blends with the surrounding landscape.

We will submit a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment with our planning application to evaluate and address any visual impacts.

We are committed to delivering a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain through native planting, such as wildflowers, hedgerow restoration, and woodland installation to support local wildlife and habitats.

Additionally, we aim to establish a community benefit fund to support local causes and organizations, providing direct investment into the community.

Once planning consent is secured and we have the green-light from National Grid to proceed, then construction typically takes 9 months. The scheme would have an operational lifespan of 30 years before a decommissioning period of around 6 months, when the site will be returned to its previous use.

BESS sites are under frequent scrutiny regarding fire safety, due to the large quantities of lithium-ion batteries in a confined space. Fire mitigation is therefore at the forefront of considerations at all sites like this one. The National Fire Chiefs Council provide the following advice to all developers of BESS sites. The summary of fire safety measures are as follows:

• Engagement with local fire authority and planning authority with emergency response plans, fire water management strategies and fire safety management plans
• Separation distances or thermal barriers between all equipment, including the battery containers
• Fire detection, monitoring and prevention systems installed within all battery modules
• Sufficient ventilation (cooling fans) to maintain temperatures for all potential scenarios
• Water supply – onsite to meet the demand of the local fire authority, e.g. hydrants or water tanks
• Multiple access routes and space within compounds to ensure fire engines have access to and within the site

Grenergy have taken all advice on-board to produce a design which aligns with this guidance and is detailed in the documents submitted with the full planning application.