Construction has commenced on a vital new battery energy storage facility located near the Hinkley Point C park and ride site in Williton, Somerset. This project marks a significant step toward strengthening the region’s power grid and supporting its ambitious climate goals.
Battery energy storage systems work by capturing surplus electricity from the National Grid during periods of low demand, storing it, and then releasing this power back into the grid when demand spikes. This process helps balance energy supply and demand, reduces waste, and enhances grid reliability.
The Abingdon-based Conrad Energy received planning approval from West Somerset Council in February 2023 to build the 15MW facility on Smithyard Lane, just west of Williton and close to the B3190 Washford Hill park and ride. Positioned between the gas distribution station and Outmoor Wood at the northern end of Smithyard Lane, the site is strategically located to bolster local energy infrastructure.
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With the construction now underway, the facility is expected to be operational by summer 2027. Once active, it will have the capacity to power up to 9,000 homes, significantly contributing to grid stability and supporting Somerset Council’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Mike Denman, senior project manager at Conrad Energy, emphasized the importance of this development: “Battery energy storage is crucial for the energy transition. It ensures that renewable energy is efficiently managed—providing power when renewables aren’t generating and preventing energy waste during low demand periods. We are excited to move forward with the project and have the facility operational by the end of 2027.”
Similar battery energy storage projects are underway across Somerset to support green energy adoption and accommodate growing housing and commercial developments. Notably, Huntley Wood Investments Ltd. secured permission in 2021 to establish a comparable facility at the former Wansborough Paper Mill site in Watchet. Additionally, a battery storage system will be installed alongside a new solar farm near Tropiquaria Zoo in Washford, following approval by the Planning Inspectorate in May 2024.
Together, these initiatives signify Somerset’s proactive approach to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.