World’s largest battery storage project destined for Manchester

Carlton Power have been given planning permission to build a £750m 1GW battery energy storage scheme (BESS) at the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park in Greater Manchester

Planning permission for the BESS was granted by Trafford Council, the local planning authority and subject to a final investment decision, construction the facility is expected to start at the beginning of next year, with it entering commercial operation towards the end of 2025.  

This will be Carlton Power’s second such scheme at the 12 hectare Energy Park, the other being the 200MW Trafford Green Hydrogen scheme, the first phase of which (15-20MW) will also set to enter commercial operation towards the end of 2025. In addition, the company recently secured planning permission for one of the UK’s first hydrogen pipelines at the Trafford site which, until 1991, was home to the Carrington coal-fired power station.

In March 2023, the UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) shortlisted the £50m green hydrogen first phase to receive financial support from the Government’s Hydrogen Business Model / Net Zero Hydrogen Fund in the first Hydrogen Allocation Round.  

In addition to Carlton Power’s two projects, Highview Power Storage Inc. is planning to build and operate the world’s first commercial liquid air storage system – a £250m 250MWh long duration, cryogenic energy storage system at the Park.

Keith Clarke, Founder and Chief Executive of Carlton Power said: ‘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 £2bn, which will deliver significant economic benefits to the Greater Manchester region and help to deliver the regional net zero targets.  The investment in the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park over the next 2-5 years demonstrates Carlton’s long-term vision and commitment to re-energising the Trafford site.’

Councillor Tom Ross, the leader of Trafford Council and Green City-Region lead for Greater Manchester, said: ‘The Trafford BESS, alongside the Trafford Green Hydrogen scheme, places Trafford and Greater Manchester at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition. The two schemes will help address our climate crisis – one of Trafford Council’s corporate priorities – and will support our region’s plan to reach a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2038.  I applaud Carlton Power’s long-term vision in developing the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park.’

Chris McKerrow, Head of Carlton Power’s European BESS Development said: ‘Our BESS scheme will make a significant contribution to the resilience of the North West’s energy system and, combined with our green hydrogen scheme and the cryobattery project, underlines Trafford Park’s importance to the energy transition in the region and the journey towards Net Zero.

‘Trafford Council and other local organisations, like the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, recognize the importance of the BESS and the green hydrogen scheme to the energy transition, to inward investment and to the regeneration of land, much of it vacant for over 20 years. We are delighted to have secured planning consent for the world’s largest BESS and our focus now turns towards financing and building the scheme.’