Plans have been unanimously approved for a new energy storage system looking to provide emission savings “equivalent to a reduction in around 12,000 cars on the road every year.”

Proposals were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department last year for a battery energy storage system facility on agricultural land off Worset Lane.

The development will have the capacity to store and export approximately 200MW of low carbon and renewable energy.

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The plans from Clearstone Energy look to support the National Grid’s Stability Pathfinder Project, which aims to solve specific problems in the electricity system to ensure the grid is kept stable as it transitions towards clean energy.

A decision was initially due to be made on the application at December’s planning committee meeting, however it was deferred to allow for a site visit.

Councillors revisited the proposals at Wednesday’s meeting (January 18) and unanimously approved the application.

Conservative Councillor Mike Young said: “I think we can probably all agree that energy is the hottest topic at the moment in terms of the country.

“Anything that can be progressed to support the network should be looked at favourably in my view."

A report from council planning officers ahead of the meeting recommended the proposals be approved, noting their policy supports “development which seeks to address the causes and impacts of climate change”.

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A planning statement submitted as part of the application said it would provide an important contribution to addressing the national climate emergency.

It said: “The anticipated CO2 displacement is around 57,500 tonnes annually each year, which represents an emission saving equivalent of a reduction in [around] 12,000 cars on the road every year.”