Battery Energy Storage Systems (‘BESS’) Projects

Following the removal of BESS projects from the national infrastructure planning regimes (under the Planning Act 2008 and Electricity Act 1989) through secondary legislation, the relevant consent route for BESS projects of any scale is to obtain full planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

DWD contributed to the twin government consultations that led to the regulatory changes described, and previously consented a number of large BESS projects as part of Section 36 consents for thermal development.

DWD has more recently led site finding, appraisal, and consenting for a number of major BESS projects:

• Gateway 450MW (InterGen) – approved under delegated authority.
• Spalding 550MW (InterGen) – resolution to grant planning permission s.t. S106.
• Eggborough 500MW (EP UK Investments) – approved under delegated authority.
• Eggborough 49.9MW (EP UK Investments) – Lawful Development Certificate obtained.
• Indian Queens 100MW (Renewable Connections) – approved under delegated authority.
• West Burton 500MW (West Burton Energy) – in determination.
• Crabbs Green 50MW (Renewable Connections) – awaiting determination.
• Sunbury 200MW (Ecodev) – pre application.

Gateway and Eggborough (500MW) have subsequently been awarded capacity market contracts and together provide about 1/10 of the UK pipeline for BESS by capacity.

DWD also regularly provides planning due diligence to prospective purchasers of large (>200MW) BESS and solar-BESS portfolios.