Cambridge Power secures planning permission for 50MW BESS project in Essex

Cambridge Power has confirmed it has received planning permission for a 50MW battery energy storage system (BESS) situated in Essex.

The BESS project will replace a previously proposed gas-peaker plant on the same site making the Lawford Substation more environmentally friendly and sustainable.

This project will add to the firm’s BESS portfolio having secured planning permission for 259MW of BESS storage with a further 407.5MW currently submitted for planning.

“We are delighted that our application gained the full support of the Planning Committee at Tendring District Council, which shows their commitment to the move to net zero. We hope to commence construction at this site before the end of 2023,” said Neil Waterson, head of planning at Cambridge Power.

“However, like many other companies, we are having to endure long delays due to National Grid withholding connections to the grid network, which must be addressed to help facilitate more renewable energy into the grid network.”

The Essex-based BESS project is the latest to be developed by Cambridge Power following the Framework Agreement signed with Brookfield Renewable to develop an 800MW BESS portfolio earlier this year.

As previously reported, the two firms would, on an exclusive basis, develop more than 800MW of fully consented BESS storage and 185MW of co-located solar for investment over the next five years.

Brookfield would provide capital to construct the portfolio, while Cambridge Power would manage the construction and operation of the assets.

Much like the Essex project, Cambridge Power secured planning permission in late July to construct a 100MW BESS project in Bramford, Suffolk. This is expected to contribute to the 800MW BESS portfolio.