Plans to build a renewable energy storage facility in Pyworthy in Devon have been submitted to the local authority. The Stoneworthy project is located on land south of Pyworthy substation - around 1.3km south-west of the village.
If planning is granted, the 49.9MW scheme would connect directly into the 132kV overhead line which crosses the site.
Rewnewable energy firm RES said its proposal is expected to go before Torridge District Council’s planning committee in the coming months and, if consented, would take around 12 months to build.
RES, which held public consultation sessions on the project in March, said 85% of those who responded were supportive of or neutral to the proposed design for the Stoneworthy scheme.
The company also claims its energy storage proposal would increase site biodiversity by 21%. RES said its plans had been "carefully designed" to include the planting of native hedgerow, grassland and wildflower areas.
John Hills, development project manager for RES, said: “Energy storage projects play a critical role in reinforcing our energy network and ensuring flexibility. They are the fastest technology for responding to a sudden spike in demand or an abrupt loss of supply on the network. The energy storage system will be utilised by National Grid to balance peaks and troughs in energy demand and generation; it’s a really clever system."
In January, RES was granted planning consent for a solar farm in South Gloucestershire. The company said the decision by South Gloucestershire Council was a "crucial step" towards a "cleaner and more affordable energy future".
The scheme was given the go-ahead after the council’s planning committee voted to approve the application, in line with the case officer’s recommendation.
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