Swansea North Battery

We are proposing a battery electricity storage system (BESS) of up to 250MW (megawatts) close to the existing National Grid ESO Swansea North substation between Felindre and Morriston.

The size and design of the Swansea North Battery project has been developed specifically to have as minimal impact as possible and to suit the location, having a relatively small footprint and located in a well screened area.

These battery systems are essential to help Britain reach its energy security and climate goals as we move away from using electricity generated from fossil fuels to using only power from low-carbon and renewable sources.

A Pre-application Consultation took place between 14 May and 16 June 2025. Thank you to everyone who attended our events or provided feedback. The Pre-application Consultation materials can still be viewed at the bottom of this page.

Britain was once powered almost entirely by coal – it was burnt to make electricity or heated to produce coal gas or town gas. Major power stations were built close to our large coal fields, and larger towns and cities, and the electricity grid spread like a web around the country.

As we transition to a zero-carbon electricity grid, BESS are needed to unlock the full potential of renewable energy in the UK by storing power generated during periods of oversupply, such as when it is windy, and then releasing such power back into the national electrical network when there is greater demand.

By balancing supply and demand, the battery facility will increase the resiliency of the electricity system and allow more renewables to come onto the grid, reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainable economic growth.

The site is very close to the National Grid Swansea North substation and we have secured a connection directly to the grid at this point. This means the system will be very efficient with minimal loss of energy through the cabling due to transmission loss.

The site lies immediately adjacent to the substation and existing solar farm and is already well screened with hedgerows and the visual impact of the proposal will be minimal.

Q. Why this location?

The site lies very close to the Swansea North substation which is where we have secured a connection, meaning that the cable route can be very short. Electricity is always subject to transmission loss which increases over distance, so the less cable needed, the better. It will also reduce the impact on the local community with no requirement to lay cable along roads in the area.

We are passionate about developing net zero infrastructure such as batteries because we want to help Britain secure energy supplies and tackle climate change. The site falls in a brown field area and

We have specifically designed our proposal to have as little impact as possible, choosing the location due it being brown field and well screened by existing hedgerows that are already in place.

Q. Will this be a permanent feature?

We are seeking permission for the site to be used for BESS for 40 years. As this would be a time-limited approval, the land would revert to its former designation and would not be classed as previously developed. Should there be a continuing need for the site for energy storage after 40 years, we would need to submit a new planning application.

Q. Why is battery storage needed?

The UK has set a target to end its contribution to climate change and bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. To achieve this, we must end our reliance on coal and gas-fired power stations and replace these with new low carbon power sources. Battery storage is essential to make this transition. It provides:

• Flexibility – To keep power supplies flowing electricity supply and demand must always be equal, or ‘balanced.’ Battery storage provides critical flexibility services required by National Grid to manage renewable intermittency and maintain this vital balance.
• Security – Batteries can respond extremely rapidly to faults on the network or changes in electricity supply and demand, helping to reduce blackout risk and ensure a secure and resilient network.
• Adaptability – As more of our lives are powered by electricity – from heating to cars – our energy system is changing. Batteries help to future-proof the grid and cost-effectively integrate more renewable power.

Q. Do they generate any noise?

A noise assessment will be undertaken to ensure the plant operates within acceptable noise thresholds defined by the Council. Noise mitigation measures will be included within the scheme. BESS developments have reasonably limited noise effects compared to other forms of development.

For more information, please give a member of the project team call on 01792 002717 or email: swanseanorth@edf-re.uk.