Carlton Power, the UK’s independent energy infrastructure development company, has been granted planning permission for the world’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS), a 1GW (1040MW / 2080MWh) project located at Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park in Greater Manchester.
Carlton Power is making progress on two major energy projects in Trafford.
The £750 million BESS program will enhance the security and resilience of the energy system in the North West of England. As well as supporting the energy transition and the growth of renewable energy production in the region. Planning permission for BESS was granted by Trafford Council, the local planning authority. Subject to a final investment decision, construction of the battery storage system is scheduled to start in the first quarter of next year (2024), with commercial operation in the last quarter of 2025.
Carlton Power is in advanced talks with companies to finance, build and operate the Trafford BESS. The Trafford BESS is Carlton Power’s second major energy project to be approved for the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park, which covers 12 hectares, eight miles south of Manchester. The other project is Carlton’s 200 MW Trafford Green Hydrogen project; the first phase of the project (15-20 MW) is also scheduled to enter commercial operation in Q4 2025.
In March 2023, the UK’s Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) shortlisted the £50 million first phase of green hydrogen to receive financial support from the Government Hydrogen Business Model / Net Zero Hydrogen Fund in the first Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1). Trafford Green Hydrogen (200 MW) was authorized by Trafford Council in September 2022, making it the UK’s largest approved green hydrogen system. Carlton Power has also recently obtained planning permission for one of the UK’s first hydrogen pipelines at the Trafford site.
Carlton Power aims for energy excellence with the BESS and green hydrogen project.
In addition to the two Carlton Power projects, Highview Power Storage Inc. plans to build and operate the world’s first commercial liquid air storage system. A £250 million cryogenic energy storage system on the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park. which until 1991 was the site of the Carrington coal-fired power station. The Low Carbon Energy Park is located close to Manchester Ship Canal and the £750 million Carrington flexible gas-fired power station, which came on stream in 2016.
Keith Clarke, founder and managing director of Carlton Power, said: “Carlton Power acquired the former coal-fired power station in 2008 to redevelop the site for new energy projects. With BESS approval, this brings the total investment value of the site to £2 billion, which will bring significant economic benefits to the Greater Manchester area and help meet regional carbon neutral targets.The investment in the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park over the next two to five years demonstrates Carlton’s long-term vision and commitment to reinvigorating the Trafford site.”
Councillor Tom Ross, Trafford Council and Green City-Region Leader for Greater Manchester, said, “Trafford’s BESS, alongside the Trafford Green Hydrogen project, puts Trafford and Greater Manchester at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition. Both schemes will help tackle our climate crisis – one of Trafford Council’s priorities – and support our region’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038. I welcome Carlton Power’s long-term vision in developing the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park.”
Chris McKerrow, Carlton Power’s BESS European Development Manager, said, “Our BESS project will make a significant contribution to the resilience of the North West’s energy system and, combined with our green hydrogen project and cryobattery project, underlines the importance of Trafford Park to the region’s energy transition and journey towards carbon neutrality.”
“Trafford Council and other local organizations, such as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, recognize the importance of BESS and the green hydrogen system for energy transition, inward investment and regeneration of land, much of which has been vacant for over 20 years. We’re delighted to have secured planning consent for the world’s largest BESS and are now focusing on financing and building the project.”
