The new battery storage site at the Midsomer Norton Enterprise Park has moved a stage closer to being operational.

Back in September 2021 a planning application on behalf of Conrad Energy was agreed for the area south of Unit 18 on the park for the "Erection of storage containers, support infrastructure and security fence for Battery Energy Storage Facility"

Conrad, which is the largest flexible power producer and energy services business in the UK, held a ground- breaking ceremony in Midsomer Norton, Somerset. attended by the Mayor of Midsomer Norton, Councillor Lynda Robertson, alongside cabinet member for Climate and SustainableTravel and deputy leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, Councillor Sarah Warren.

The battery storage project marks a big step forward in the realisation of Bath and North East Somerset Council's net zero strategy. "The role of battery storage in our future energy mix is increasingly important as we strive both as a nation and at the local level to balance the rapid growth of renewable energy sources as we accelerate towards net-zero carbon emissions," said Chris Shears, Conrad Energy's Chief Development Officer. "The project fits with Conrad Energy's strategy to support the energy transition through owning and operating resilient and flexible power generation and storage assets that provide vital grid services particularly at times of low wind production and when demand is high. We will have 200MW of batteries operational by the end of this year and plan to deploy 1000MW in the coming years to support our vision for Conrad Energy as a full-service power solutions provider, supporting both the grid as well as commercial and industrial customers."

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, said: "We are very pleased to be playing host to this significant new battery storage facility from Conrad Energy and applaud the role it will play in creating the smarter and more flexible energy system we need to get us to net zero 2030."

Breaking ground on the project marks the start of a three month program to construct the site which will incorporate Tesla Megapacks which will supply power equivalent to the average power needs of nearly 14,000 homes for two hours as well as providing grid stability services to the National Grid and Western Power Distribution. The scheme is anticipated to be fully operational in November 2022.