Developer Root-Power has received planning permission for a 40MW/80MWh battery storage site in Selby, North Yorkshire.
The battery energy storage system (BESS) developer launched in July 2024. It is backed by the YLEM Group and now has more than 2GW of projects in the pipeline in the UK.
The BESS in North Yorkshire will be connected to the Osgodby network delivery point and is sited to make optimal use of natural shielding. Root-Power will work with highway authorities to improve local road infrastructure as part of its development plan. The project will also deliver a net biodiversity gain of 40.72%.
Root-Power director Neil Brooks said the consent was a “great start” to 2025.
At the launch, Root-Power has appointed planning consultancy firms Lanpro, PWA Planning, RCA Regeneration, ELG Planning and Clive Fagg Planning to accelerate the delivery of the 40-project pipeline.
One of the largest projects in the pipeline, the 100MW/200MWh Granborough Project in Buckinghamshire, has already reached the advanced development stage of the planning process.
Recently, Glasgow City Council approved a 50MW/100MWh BESS to be located in the center of Glasgow. The site, a former shipping container storage site located close to Ibrox Stadium, will accommodate up to eight BESS containers, as well as a 33kV/600V BESS transformer, a 33kV substation and other associated infrastructure.
It is one of four Root-Power projects to receive approval so far, and construction on all four will begin this year.
Brooks wrote an exclusive article for Solar energy portal sister site Current±, He calls batteries “the most adaptable solution for stabilizing the intermittent nature of wind and solar power generation.”
However, he noted that the BESS sector is not sufficiently supported in the UK energy mix, adding that “to fully realize the benefits of BESS, the UK energy sector must advocate for their value in the energy transition, consumer awareness should increase and push for reform plans to accelerate adoption and encourage investment opportunities.”
