Battery storage site plan submitted

Plans have been lodged for a battery energy storage facility in Rotherham.

It would be on land off Hard Lane in Kiveton Park and could store enough electricity to power approximately 130,000 homes for two hours, saving more than 5,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

The firm behind the project, Harmony Energy, said they have amended their proposals to further screen the development from the existing public footpath and Community Woodland area to the west following a public consultation.

The 40 mega watt (MW) project, would be located next to Kiveton Park substation, and would be built on low-grade agricultural land.

The applicants said the scheme would generate more than £90,000 per year in business rates for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, and they would provide a community fund worth £400,000 over the project's lifetime to support local causes.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the revised plan also includes the use of green-coloured batteries and aims to create new habitats, ensuring a biodiversity net gain of more than 35%.

Peter Kavanagh, Harmony Energy CEO said: "Battery energy storage is essential in delivering a home-grown energy system that strengthens the UK's energy security and reduces our reliance on foreign imports, while supporting net zero goals.

"The Kiveton project enables renewable energy to thrive, all at no cost to the taxpayer, and will support job creation and economic growth. "We'd like to thank everyone who took part in the public consultation and all stakeholders who shared their thoughts on the site."

A date for the council to consider the application has not been set.

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