Described as ‘an exciting new chapter for the renewable energy industry,’ battery energy storage systems are one of the top topics for farmers and landowners currently. Battery storage is intended to enable the National Grid to balance electricity supplies during times of peak demand and store energy on site which can be exported to the grid. They can appear in a number of forms, including containerised units and purpose-built buildings, allowing for ground rents in the tens of thousands per year to the landowner. Battery storage in its many forms can appear anywhere in the UK, on any site, as long as there is easy access rights onto the National Grid.
Usually the way that energy storage works is that developers approach landowners to lease their land for battery storage, in order to enter into a contract with the National Grid to import and export electricity on demand, depending on usage levels. Developers will generally offer a rental payment on a square footage or capacity basis for a given site, all of which is given directly to the landowner.
The Cheffins Planning department has reported a huge increase in the number of landowners looking to explore battery storage options over the past 12 – 24 months.
Edward Clarke, Planner at Cheffins comments:
“We have seen a surge in enquiries from landowners looking to create battery storage systems as a new way to diversify. There is a rush now to grab connections and capacity whilst they are available, as the market for these opportunities is changing on a nearly daily basis, but with the potential to achieve rental incomes of £850 - £1,000 per acre for landowners. Enquiries for these types of projects have amplified since July 2021, when the UK government removed barriers limiting the size of battery storage projects in England, meaning that local planning authorities now determine whether battery projects of 50 MW and above are consented, rather than the Secretary of State. This has made applying for permission for these types of projects is now far quicker and more affordable. Not only is battery storage very lucrative, it isn’t as land hungry as solar or other diversification projects and now, more than ever, the UK needs to take back control of its energy supply. We have been advising a number of clients on the potential for battery storage on their land throughout East Anglia, and have been involved in several transactions with energy specialists, such as Endurance Energy. The key to a successful energy project is a securing a suitable grid connection, in order to do this, we work with the landowner and the energy specialist in order to facilitate a discussion with the grid operator with a view to submitting an application. Planning permission is required and whilst the energy specialist will engage with the National Grid, it is prudent to engage with local groups as soon as possible.”
Cheffins works alongside energy specialists, such as Endurance Energy in order to offer clients a competitive edge in these new renewable energy schemes.
For more information, or to make an application for a battery storage project, contact Edward Clarke at Cheffins on 01223 628929 or edward.clarke@cheffins.co.uk