Fiddler’s Ferry Battery Energy Storage System

Introducing Fiddler’s Ferry Battery Energy Storage System

Green Nation invites you to learn more about our proposals and to share your thoughts as part of our consultation process. We are proposing to develop a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land to the south west of Station Road, Fiddler’s Ferry, Warrington, WA5 2UL.

The proposed facility will have a capacity of up to 250 megawatts (MWp) and be used to help stabilise the grid to ensure an efficient supply of energy to local homes and businesses. This would be achieved by storing electricity when there is a surplus in supply and then returning it to the network when demand is high, for example in the early evening. The facility can also provide current at very short notice when requested by the grid operators to help keep frequency and voltage stable when there are fluctuations in generation.

The project will be funded privately and will not be subsidised or require government funding.

Public Consultation

We recently held a public consultation event on Thursday 29th April at Penketh Community Centre, Meeting Lane, Penketh, Warrington, WA5 2BG. Thank you to all those who attended. You can access the brochure which was sent out to residents inviting them to the consultation event here.

We are currently reviewing all comments received during and following the public consultation event and we will be providing answers to the various questions received in the coming days.

Benefits of the proposed development

  • The facility will play an important part in speeding up the transition away from fossil fuels and it will help to support the Warrington Borough Council’s Green Energy Strategy.

  • The battery storage facility will fill gaps in the UK’s electricity supply by charging up when renewable energy is being produced (such as on windy, sunny days) and discharging energy back into the grid when needed (e.g. when the wind isn’t blowing, the sun isn’t shining, or we aren’t able to import energy from elsewhere).

  • Demand for grid energy storage is expected to rise by 20GWh by 2035. Fiddler’s Ferry BESS will help with supplying this demand and aid the UK’s transition to a low carbon future.

  • Contribute to the enhancement of the local ecosystem, by creating biodiversity enhancements.

  • This is a temporary development and will be fully decomissioned at the end of its lifespan when the land will be returned to agricultural use.

The project is being brought forward by Green Nation. Since it’s formation in 2011, Green Nation has become one of the leading developers of rooftop solar panels for homes, schools and businesses in the UK. We also develop, construct and operate ground-mounted solar farms and battery storage facilities.

We manage solar farms and rooftop systems, generating millions of kilowatt hours of electricity annually for businesses, communities and neighbourhoods.

We have continued to grow and expand our base in the UK whilst maintaining our mission of providing affordable and sustainable energy for all.

Net Zero One Ltd has been established as a specialist development business to allow the funding of larger projects such as this, drawing on the expertise of Green Nation to fund, build, operate and ultimately decommission the development at the end of its life.

About Green Nation

Frequently Asked Questions

  • For our renewable energy projects we require a nearby grid connection, a site that free from significant constraints and a supportive landowner. The proposed development site offers all of these features.

  • We will be submitting our planning application to Warrington Borough Council in June 2025. If we are granted consent, we would look to start construction in 2027. Site working would typically be Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings only.

  • Once operational, the facility will have minimal impact on local traffic, with only occasional visits required for maintenance. During construction, traffic will be managed through a Construction Traffic Management Plan. This will include details of construction traffic numbers, vehicle routing and working hours.

    As with all aspects of the development, we welcome input from the local community to help reduce any impact on local roads where possible.

  • The battery storage facility is a temporary development and will not change the land classification from agricultural greenfield to commercial/industrial brownfield. In effect, it will remain agricultural land when the proposed development has been decommissioned.

  • The main noise associated with batteries are the cooling fans, which keep the batteries from overheating. Any noise generated will be low level and the batteries are not expected to be audible beyond the site boundary. Expected noise emissions will be measured against existing background noise levels to ensure the development will meet the relevant British Standards and World Health Organisation Noise Guidelines.

    We conduct thorough noise evaluations for each site and implement various noise mitigation measures in our project plans. These measures, such as acoustic fencing and bunding, ensure that noise impacts are acceptable at nearby sensitive locations.

  • Battery Energy Storage Systems are safe. We work hard throughout site design, construction and into operation to ensure the safety of our sites.

    The technology used within the development will be rigorously tested and the site laid out to ensure compliance with all relevant fire safety guidance.

    The batteries will be constantly monitored and in the unlikely event that a fire does occur, the facility will employ automatic fire detection and suppression systems.

    We are also working with the local fire and rescue service to ensure suitable emergency response procedures are in place, including a Battery Fire Safety Management Plan.

    Security measures on site include secure perimeter fencing and gated access. The site will be monitored by CCTV.

Project Timeline

April & May 2025

Pre-Submission Consultation

May & June 2025

Finalise Proposed Design

June 2025

Submit Planning Application

Approx. 13 weeks from validation of application

Planning Decision

2027

Construction
(if granted approval)

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