Balance Power wins planning approval for 30 MW battery storage site in Rochdale

Balance Power has secured planning permission for a 30 MW battery energy storage system on land near Rochdale, Greater Manchester. 

The project is expected to bolster grid stability in the area and help power roughly 16,225 homes once it comes online in 2028.

The facility, which can run for a total of two hours, is made up of 12 containerised battery units and is designed to soak up excess renewable generation and release it when demand rises, trimming an estimated 11,080 tonnes of CO2 each year. That saving is broadly equivalent to removing around 7,950 petrol cars from Britain’s roads or planting about 17,730 trees.

As part of the scheme, Balance Power has promised to deliver a 34.82% uplift in habitat units and a 16.44% increase in hedgerow units across the surrounding land. At the end of its operational life, the site will be fully decommissioned and the land restored to its original natural state. 

Lois Gale, Design Lead at Balance Power, commented, “Securing planning approval for this project marks another important milestone in our mission to deliver cleaner and more flexible energy infrastructure across the UK. We’re thankful for the constructive dialogue we’ve had with residents and council members to help ensure our Rochdale facility will bolster national energy security while delivering meaningful environmental and economic benefits for the local community.

“We’re particularly pleased to be enhancing the area’s biodiversity as part of our work, ensuring that the natural environment will continue to thrive during and after the site’s use.”