Balance Power gains approval for 99 MWh battery project in Hertfordshire, beating concerns

UK energy developer Balance Power has received planning consent for a 49.5 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Radwell Bury, Hertfordshire. The project will comprise 48 battery units, each contributing to a total installed capacity of around 99 MWh, providing two hours of discharge capability.

Grid connection arrangements are now said to be being finalized. At the end of its operational life, the site will be restored to agricultural use.

The 3.56-hectare (8.79-acre) facility will be located near the UK’s designated greenbelt, away from residential areas. Biodiversity measures include woodland belt protection, hedgerow retention, and meadow grassland planting.

While the scheme received unanimous council approval, it drew opposition during consultation. ESS News reviewed public submissions, including from the countryside charity CPRE, which expressed concerns about visual impact, water resources, along with fire risk, while describing the project as “a significant scar on open countryside.”

According to UK news organization the BBC, planning officers acknowledged the site conflicted with part of the Local Plan but considered it “the next best location,” with visual impacts to be mitigated through landscaping.

Ryan Stott, connections team at Balance Power, said, “We’re pleased to have received unanimous approval for this vital project and appreciate the strong engagement from the community and local council throughout the process… It’s important to us that our developments leave a lasting positive legacy, and made sure we chose a site specifically out of the greenbelt, out of residential areas, and designed to enhance local biodiversity. We’re confident that Radwell Bury will deliver long-term value for both the community, the grid, and the local environment.”