‘World’s largest battery energy storage scheme’ gets green light

An impression of Carlton Power’s proposed BESS facility at the UK’s Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park. Image: Carlton Power

The independent energy infrastructure development company will construct the 1GW (1040MW / 2080MWh) facility at the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park in Greater Manchester, UK.

Subject to a final investment decision, construction of the €875 million BESS project is expected to start in the first quarter of 2024, with commercial operation scheduled for the final quarter of 2025.

Carlton Power said it is now in advanced discussions with potential partners to finance, build and operate the Trafford BESS.

Energy hub

The company’s first venture – the UK’s largest consented green hydrogen initiative – the Carlton 200MW Trafford Green Hydrogen scheme, is also set to enter commercial operation at the energy park in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Also planned for the site is a €290 million 250MWh long-duration, cryogenic energy storage system, proposed by Highview Power Storage. Once completed, the facility will be the world’s first commercial liquid air storage system.

Keith Clarke, founder and CEO of Carlton Power said of the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park, “Carlton Power acquired the former coal fired power station in 2008, to redevelop the site for new energy projects.

“With the approval of the BESS, this brings the total investment value of the site to £2billion [€2.3 billion], which will deliver significant economic benefits to the Greater Manchester region and help to deliver the regional net zero targets.”