Rochdale Council has greenlit the construction of a new energy storage facility capable of powering 20,000 homes, signaling a significant step towards bolstering local energy security and meeting environmental targets.
The approved 132kV energy substation, to be operated by Shaw-Energi, will be situated on a vacant site near Lower Jowkin Lane and Furbarn Road, just 600 meters northwest of Bamford. Connected to the National Grid substation at Clay Lane via an underground cable, the facility aims to enhance electricity provision to the region for up to 2 hours.
According to planning documents, the facility will comprise battery storage containers, transformers, inverters, switch rooms, control rooms, drainage systems, landscaping, and ancillary equipment. Additionally, access for maintenance vehicles will be established from Lower Jowkin Lane, accompanied by security fencing, lighting, and CCTV installation.
The council’s approval grants full planning permission for a temporary period of 30 years, aligning with government mandates to achieve a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and enhance national energy security.
Shaw-Energi, an engineering and renewable energy project developer headquartered in Merseyside, will oversee the project. Led by an experienced CEO with expertise in biomass gasification and biomass-to-energy systems, the company aims to contribute to sustainable energy solutions.
While the application site remains within the Green Belt, proposed modifications to the Green Belt boundary under the draft Greater Manchester Places for Everyone Plan could see adjacent land allocated for residential development, underscoring the evolving landscape of energy infrastructure and urban planning in the region.