FAQs
Who is Enso Energy?
Enso Energy is one of the UK’s leading developers of renewable and low carbon energy projects. We are firm advocates for renewable, low carbon, efficient, secure and sustainable energy that can be generated, stored and utilised in the UK. Our approach to subsidy-free renewable energy is assisting the country’s move towards a more secure renewable energy supply.
Why have you chosen this site?
Why have you chosen this site?
The Site is located close to the Point of Connection at the National Grid Drakelow Substation. It is also free of statutory designations relating to landscape and ecology, and is not located within the Green Belt.
What have you done so far?
We submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Request to South Derbyshire District Council, who confirmed the Proposed Development would not be considered EIA Development and an Environmental Statement would not need to be prepared for any future planning application. Currently there are ecology surveys, heritage studies, and surface water modelling studies and other surveys being completed at the Site.
How long will this take to build?
Construction of the proposal will take place over 7 months, with construction vehicles accessing the Site via Walton Road.
What will the BESS look like?
The BESS comprises a series of battery containers that are similar in appearance to shipping containers. These will be grouped together within a central compound area, along with a 132kV substation that is the electrical infrastructure necessary to import and export the electricity. The BESS will be surrounded by acoustic fencing,
What are you doing about landscaping and ecology?
We are dedicating over 20% of the Site to tree planting. Approximately 34 metres of hedgerow will be removed to create two access points into the BESS; approximately 220 metres of hedgerow will be planted to compensate for this loss. The remainder of the Site will be laid to a species-diverse grassland.
Are batteries safe?
Batteries are equipped with Battery Management Systems that monitor the operational and fault status of all systems for all parameters required to ensure the safe operation of the Batteries. Two separate access points are included as part of the application for emergency vehicles and a standby water supply is included on site.
Are batteries noisy?
BESS facilities have the potential to generate noise, primarily from cooling fans needed to regulate temperatures of the battery cells. Detailed acoustic surveys have been completed and confirm that, with mitigation, noise levels will not exceed baseline levels from publicly accessible land.
Will the Batteries be here permanently?
No. After 40 years the BESS would be decommissioned and the land returned to an agricultural use.
Will there be lots of traffic when the site is commissioned?
When operational, engineers will visit the site once or twice a month to check the BESS is running optimally.