Work has got underway on the creation of a new battery storage site in the town of Midsomer Norton near Bath, which is hoped will help power thousands of homes.
Cutting the ribbon at the new battery storage site | Photo © Rebecca Faith Photo
Conrad Energy held a ground-breaking ceremony at the site on Thursday 28th July, attended by the Mayor of Midsomer Norton, Councillor Lynda Robertson, alongside cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel and deputy leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, Councillor Sarah Warren.
The battery storage project will help towards the local authority’s net zero strategy.
Chris Shears, Conrad Energy’s Chief Development Officer, said: “The role of battery storage in our future energy mix is increasingly important as we strive both as a nation and at the local level to balance the rapid growth of renewable energy sources as we accelerate towards net-zero carbon emissions.
“The project fits with Conrad Energy’s strategy to support the energy transition through owning and operating resilient and flexible power generation and storage assets that provide vital grid services particularly at times of low wind production and when demand is high.
“We will have 200MW of batteries operational by the end of this year and plan to deploy 1000MW in the coming years to support our vision for Conrad Energy as a full-service power solutions provider, supporting both the grid as well as commercial and industrial customers.”
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, said: “We are very pleased to be playing host to this significant new battery storage facility from Conrad Energy and applaud the role it will play in creating the smarter and more flexible energy system we need to get us to net zero 2030.”
Breaking ground at the site marks the start of a three-month construction project, which will incorporate Tesla Megapacks which will supply power equivalent to the average power needs of nearly 14,000 homes for two hours as well as providing grid stability services to National Grid and Western Power Distribution.
The scheme is anticipated to be fully operational in November 2022.
