Six ‘battery boxes’, which store excess renewable energy for use when it’s most needed, are to be installed in South Holland.
The 2.6m high microenergy storage sites are to be placed on land off Whitehall and Belchmire Lane in Gosberton, off Boston Road in Holbeach and in Spalding at locations south of Holbeach Road, at Parkside Crescent, at the Castle Sports Centre and the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
“They are of an industrial and functional appearance which could be considered harsh, however each of the proposals are situated adjacent to existing infrastructure such as sub stations or pumping stations,” said planning officer Mark Niland to South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee when it met last week. “As such the proposed developments are not considered alien nor will harm any of the proposed settings.”
He also stated that screening will be used where possible and those nearest to residential fences would have acoustic fences round them intended to minimise noise.
Ben Wallace, head of development at applicant A and P Clean Energy, said: “We’re working with over 40 local authorities to build identical schemes with the intention of building a nationwide network serving our villages, towns and cities.
“We’re surrounded by infrastructure that allows us to live our lives.
“Increasingly we need a new type of infrastructure to serve a changing society, particularly towards our journey to net zero.
“We believe battery boxes will become part of the infrastructure in suburban areas.
“There will be times when it’s not windy and not sunny, so energy storage is needed.
“During high wind or sunshine, each of these battery boxes will be connected to the local electricity network and will store electricity to use when it’s not windy and sunny.
“This will save 160 tonnes of carbon each, 960 tonnes for the six schemes a year and 32,000 tonnes over the 30 year life of the equipment.
“We think each battery has a significant benefit to the communities they’re in.
“We look forward to working in South Holland.”
Councillors praised the applications before voting them through unanimously.
“It’s fantastic,” Coun Thomas Sneath said. “To store energy rather than produce it is far better and all it does is give us an extra shove when we need it.”
