An energy company specialising in clean technologies is planning to bring a multimillion-pound battery storage facility to a site near Blyth.
Enviromena says its proposal for a 30MW battery energy storage system (BESS) at Sleekburn will complement the area's green industrial renaissance, which includes the forthcoming Britishvolt gigafactory and JDR Cable Systems' planned facility.
The firm says it has started initial public engagement on the plans for the site which previously had permission for a gas hub.
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If successful, the site would storage energy created by North Sea offshore wind farms.
Enviromena’s European sales director, Lee Adams, said: “I’m delighted to report that initial public engagement for Enviromena’s proposed battery scheme at Sleekburn is extremely positive.
“The site, which is coincidentally close to the Britishvolt gigafactory in Blyth, represents a significant investment by Enviromena. It is a tremendously exciting project for us because it not only supports the increase in renewable wind power coming off the North East coast, but also underlines our commitment to the area’s green industrial renaissance and the UK’s broader renewable ambitions.
“If our application is successful this autumn, we would replace a previous permission for a gas generator with a clean energy solution. As a company and a country, I believe this is exactly where we want to be.”
Enviromena describes the proposed Sleekburn BESS as an "expandable zero-carbon, 30MW 2-hour solution and would help to balance power supply at peak times."
The firm points to the role such battery storage facilities could play in improving the UK's energy security, as well as mechanism to reduce costs.
Energy analysts Cornwall Insights suggest that battery storage will make up around 10% of grid capacity by 2030. The industry is growing and early this year RenewableUK said the energy storage pipeline had doubled in 12 months, surpassing 32GW.
Enviromena has more than 1GW of active solar farms and battery energy storage systems in development and operation throughout the UK and Europe.
