Authorities have approved plans to build the world’s largest battery system at an old power plant in Manchester, capable of storing enough energy to power 36,000 homes for a week.
Illustration of the world’s largest battery energy storage facility in Manchester. (Photo: Carlton Power Ltd)
The energy company Carlton Power will need to raise $963 million in investment to execute the project and has selected its suppliers, as reported by Yahoo on July 25. The battery plant is designed to meet the increasing demand for continuous electricity, as more energy is sourced from intermittent resources like wind and solar.
The battery system can be charged on sunny or windy days at low or even no cost, and then provide electricity when needed. It is expected to deliver 2,080 megawatts of power, equivalent to a medium-sized power plant, in one hour. Trafford Council has granted construction permits for the project, and Carlton has also received permission for a green hydrogen project in the area.
“The battery and green hydrogen energy storage projects will position Trafford and Manchester at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition. Both projects will contribute to tackling the climate crisis and support the region’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2038,” shared Tom Ross, the head of Trafford Council.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year, with commercial operations expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025. The UK aims to develop a 50-gigawatt offshore wind power network by 2030 but requires reliable technology to cover periods without wind.
“Our energy storage battery will significantly enhance the resilience of the northwest’s power grid, in conjunction with the green hydrogen project and frozen battery technology,” stated Chris McKerro, director of Carlton Power.
