Preston farmland could be turned into a massive battery pack - capable of powering 32,000 homes

Farmers fields could be turned into a huge battery pack under new plans revealed this week.

Noventum Power Limited has applied to Preston City Council for a screening option for land at Jack Nook Farm in Jepps Lane, Barton. They want to know if a development on the land would be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The company has revealed that it is looking into the possibility of creating a Battery Energy Storage System with 40MW storage capacity - capable of powering up to 32,000 households. It would likely comprise of 40 storage containers and inverters plus associated planting, boundary fencing, security cameras, cabling and access tracks.

Where is it?

The farm site is made up of six agricultural fields, and a complex of agricultural buildings, including a farmhouse towards its northern edge. The M6 Motorway forms the western boundary of the site. The remaining land adjacent to the boundary is in agricultural use with isolated farm buildings. Access would be from Jepps Lane, to the south.

A Battery Energy Storage System scheme has recently been approved by Preston City Council at Mount Pleasant Lane, which is approximately 450m to the north-west.

What would it look like?

The applicant said the maximum height of the proposed development equipment would be "relatively low and extent of access tracks will be limited to minimum necessary". They say that existing field boundaries would be retained with further planting introduced to provide effective screening from views.

Why is it needed?

Documents submitted to Preston Council's planning portal do not state a reason to build the storage system, but typically they are used to give the grid extra capacity during peak demand or to increase the overall capacity. Battery storage help to even out the supply and demand issues attached to the renewable energy market.

How long would it be there for?

The applicant talks of a 40 year operational period, following which, they say the site would be commissioned, "with equipment being removed at that time and the site returned to full agricultural use."

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