Spalding Battery Energy Storage System to be built at power station on West Marsh Road after plans approved by South Holland District Council

One of the world’s largest battery energy storage systems will be built in Spalding after planning permission was granted.

South Holland district councillors praised the project before passing it, stressing the importance of producing our own energy during the cost of living crisis.

The Spalding Battery Energy Storage System had been proposed by InterGen for land next to its existing power station at West Marsh Road.

And at last Wednesday’s South Holland District Council Planning Committee meeting, councillors unanimously backed the plans.

Chairman Coun James Avery said he would back ‘anything that helps the nation keep the lights on’ - and had no reservations about its size.

He added: “I totally support it. If it was bigger I would still support it.”

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones said he was particularly impressed by the groups behind the plans putting together Section 106 funding despite not being obligated to do so.

It will be aimed at the likes of cycleways and footways, apprenticeships and education, town centre improvements and biodiversity enhancements.

It will total approximately £2million, also including £900,000 towards air quality monitoring.

Coun Gambba-Jones added: “I would like to move this application in the hope to help with rising bills.”

The battery system will be able to store about 550 megawatts - the equivalent to the entire annual electricity use of 177 homes - to be deployed for two hours when demand allows.

It will be unmanned, and could also see also up to six new jobs created - including two apprenticeship opportunities.

Coun Jack Tyrrell said: “It is in the perfect place and it is great for Spalding to get a thing like this.”

Coun Christopher Brewis also supported the plans, backing fellow members in saying it is important to create sustainable energy.

He said: “We should encourage it. It is the way forward.”

The Spalding Battery Energy Storage System will connect to the National Grid, taking energy when demand is low or supply high and feeding it back into the grid when needed.

It will also be set up to ‘provide essential support’ towards the Government’s climate targets.

This could be done through assisting zero-carbon renewable energy technologies handle peak demand, and helping to contain energy costs for businesses and consumers.”

When fully charged, the BESS is projected to be able to supply approximately 277,000 homes per year - or fully charge about 19,600 electric vehicles.

• The new battery system coming to Spalding is set to be one of the biggest in the UK and in the world - but what will it do?

It will store about 550 megawatts - the equivalent to the entire annual electricity use of 177 homes - to be deployed for two hours when demand allows.

Help the UK meet its ambition of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

• What is a battery energy storage system?

A device that can store power from renewables such as solar and wind so that it can be tapped into when needed. Plans for the Spalding project were first submitted last December.