Northumberland Estates has identified two potential sites in North Tyneside where it hopes to mount a move into the energy storage market.
The Newcastle-based business has submitted planning applications for battery energy storage systems near the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estates and at Holystone, each with the capacity to store up to 50MW of energy created by renewable sources such as wind farms. The developments would include battery energy storage containers and substation buildings, together with associated electrical infrastructure, small operational buildings, security fencing, CCTV, improved access tracks and structural landscaping.
At the same time, Northumberland Estates - the business arm of the Duke of Northumberland and his family - said it plans to invest in solar energy with large-scale developments and rooftop projects being prepared. Planning documents show the Estates has sought a screening opinion on proposals for 28MW solar farm on land north of Backworth village - a move that Northumberland County Council said it had no objection to.
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The business said it had identified several other sites in the North East capable of supporting similar 50MW systems and noted the locations were carefully considered to maximise the import and export of energy for reliability and cost efficiency.
David Straughan, director of development at Northumberland Estates, said: “Progress towards renewables requires a significant change in the UK’s energy infrastructure and backup technologies, such as battery energy storage systems, are vital to secure the supply for use outside of sunlight hours. They offer a safe and effective way of storing green energy, ensuring we can provide a stable supply during peak electric usage or operate critical systems during a grid outage and supports the UK’s drive towards a renewable-powered future.”
The firm also said it wanted to continue investment in the region's renewables sector not only to help towards net zero ambitions, but also to support job creation and skills development.
Earlier this year clean technology company Enviromena announced plans to build a 30MW battery storage system on land near Sleekburn in Northumberland. The firm - which expects a planning verdict in the autumn - said it hoped to store energy from North Sea wind farms at the site, which had previously been given permission for a gas hub.
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