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About the developer
Statkraft is at the heart of the UK’s energy transition. Since 2006, Statkraft has gone from strength to strength in the UK, building experience across wind, solar, hydro, storage, grid stability, EV charging, green hydrogen and a thriving markets business.
Statkraft is a global company in energy market operations, more than 7,000 employees in over 20 countries.
We’ve invested over £1.4 billion in the UK's renewable energy infrastructure and facilitated over 4.3 GW of new-build renewable energy generation through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Across our UK businesses we employ nearly 500 staff in England, Scotland and Wales and play a key role in helping the global business reach its goal of 9 GW of developed wind and solar power by 2025.
Read more about Statkraft UK.
About the project
Statkraft’s Greener Grid Parks are facilities where various service can be provided to the national grid to enable higher utilisation of new renewable energy sources, which are vital to decarbonisation of our energy system, and reaching Net Zero carbon emissions in the UK by 2050.
Renewable technologies are intermittent, as the amount generated is dependent on weather conditions. It is therefore necessary to balance demand and supply.
Our grid network needs to keep up with the rapid progress renewables has made in the UK. Sometimes National Grid, as the electricity system operator, has been forced to shut down wind farms and run gas power stations to keep the system stable. More projects like this one at Ninfield will mean that running gas powered stations will become a thing of the past.
Great Britain operates the fastest decarbonizing electricity system in the world. Our greener grid parks deliver a solution to the engineering challenge of removing fossil fuels from the UK's energy supply and maximising the amount of renewable energy that can be distributed through the grid.
This helps protect the environment whilst also reducing costs to consumers.
National Grid have identified the south of the UK as an area which requires more grid stabilisation due to the amount of renewable energy being generated. At Ninfield, the close proximity to the substation avoids lengthy transmission cables, and ensures efficient connection to the grid whilst minimising disturbance and cost.
The Ninfield site has been selected by Statkraft as a front runner for a tender with National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) starting late 2021 with contracts awarded in late 2022 and construction starting in 2023.
This project does not rely on any nearby electricity generating projects (Solar, Wind etc) to operate.
The batteries will store electricity imported from the grid. It is not possible in advance to say where it was generated. However, in general we would expect batteries to charge at times when there is a surplus of renewable energy generation in Great Britain.
The development will not only be able to facilitate batteries but also an Energy Management System which will provide stability services to the Grid. National Grid have identified that this area in particular is in need of the stability services Statkraft can provide, which is why the project is located adjacent to the Ninfield substation.
Statkraft have recently started site enabling works for the first development of this kind in Keith, Moray(External link). In addition, Statkraft also received planning permission to install a similar project in Liverpool(External link) and will commence construction in March 2021.
We are still in the development phase, so at this point we are keen to hear local residents comments and questions.
You can do this by getting in touch.
We would love to keep you informed. You can register on this website to ensure you are kept up to date, or use the contact us form to let us know your postal address.
The need for this type of project is ongoing, therefore it is anticipated that we will apply for permanent planning permission.
The building colour will be selected for its ability to blend in with the existing substation building which we would expect to be grey but will seek further input from the Council on this topic.
Indicative designs of the proposed development are available to view in the Project documents folder.
Environmental considerations
The preservation of biodiversity and wildlife onsite is a top priority for Statkraft, which is why we are committing to provide ecological enhancements in order to obtain a net biodiversity gain to the site.
We have consulted with the Highland Council throughout the pre-application stage and are producing a Landscape Planting Plan to demonstrate the new boundary planting to accompany the Development.
As a global energy company, strategically focused on scaling renewable energy solutions, we believe that we can be instrumental in driving progress toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Though we have numerous initiatives that can be linked to different SDGs, our positive impacts are naturally concentrated around the goals for Climate Action (SDG 13).
We contribute directly to climate change mitigation by displacing fossil fuels whilst meeting growing energy demand.
The planning application will be accompanied by a Drainage Impact Assessment including the provision of sustainable drainage measures. The Site is not designated as likely being of risk from any type of flooding.
The site will be fenced off using high security fencing at a minimum of 2.4m high. We will consult the Council on the colour of the fencing to ensure it blends in with the natural landscape and adjacent substation.
The building colour will be selected for its ability to blend in with the existing substation building which we would expect to be grey but will seek further input from the Council on this topic.
A tree survey is currently being undertaken to assess the impact of the trees on the access track and the report will be submitted with the planning application. Access will be designed to minimise the impact on these trees. Any trees which are required to be removed will be compensated by additional planting onsite.
Safety and traffic
Once the facility has been constructed, there will be minimal vehicle trips to the site during the operation of the development. There will be occasional visits for maintenance and inspection of the facility but the site will generally be unattended, so there will not be noticeable impact on traffic flows in the area.
The Transport Statement is still being produced and will be submitted as part of the planning application with details on deliveries. Before construction starts, a Traffic Management Plan will be secured by planning condition, and be produced to ensure main roads are used to reduce traffic flow in smaller towns and villages.
Details of the route to site, vehicle movements and mitigation measures will be provided in the Traffic Management Plan prior to construction. Main roads will be used as much as possible to avoid traffic flow through towns and villages.
Abnormal load vehicles will arrive at night to avoid disruption to traffic flow in the area. HGV delivery timings and any restrictions will be agreed with the Council and Highways and conditioned via the Traffic Management Plan.
Service personnel will drive to site in small vehicles so there will be discernible impact to existing traffic levels. We do not envisage any HGV’s visiting the site in the first few years of operation, and will only be required for major refurbishments if required.
During construction, Statkraft will pay full regard to the best practicable means available in respect of the control of noise from the site and weekend working will be in adherence with the Council controlled conditions.
There is currently an agricultural gate located at the top of Potman’s Lane which will be relocated to allow safe vehicle access onto the lane. In addition, a gate will be located near the site entrance as shown in the site layout map.
The site will be fenced off using high security fencing at a minimum of 2.4m high. We welcome your view on the colour of the fencing to ensure it blends in with the natural landscape and adjacent substation.
No, the lights will be installed with motion sensors and will not be in constant illumination to prevent light pollution. Once operational, the site is expected to be attended by a service technician only for essential maintenance.
Sustainable drainage measures including an attenuation pond will increase the amount of surface water which can be stored on site. Therefore, there will be less surface water runoff from the site than is currently the case. The Ninfield Greener Grid Park equipment will be located in Flood Zone 1 (low risk).
The specific equipment to be used will be selected once planning consent has been granted. Once the technology suppliers have been selected, noise studies will be carried out and provided to the Council. The development will not exceed noise limits set by the Council to prevent negative impacts on residential properties in the area. The equipment will also be clad in noise insulating materials. Noise levels will be controlled by the Council via a condition on the planning consent and we are also working with the Council’s Environmental Health Officer (EHO).
Benefits
The innovative grid stabilising technology planned for Ninfield will provide the national grid with ancillary services, such as inertia, using zero carbon infrastructure. A grid without inertia is one that is unstable, suffers from issues of power quality.
Renewable energy sources do not provide inertia, unlike fossil fuel technologies, so the grid needs our technology to support the growth of renewables and decarbonise the electricity network. In addition, National Grid spend millions per year stabilising the grid by turning fossil fuel plants on, but with this revolutionary technology at Ninfield, we can save consumers money whilst supporting National Grid’s target to operate a zero carbon grid by 2025. The system operator, NGESO, state that their Stability Phase 1 Pathfinder Tender would save consumers up to £128m. You can find out more about the need for grid stability services on the National Grid ESO website(External link).
With Greener Grid Parks providing grid stability, this reduces the need to turn on fossil fuel power stations - so this project will also significantly contribute to the UK Government’s 2050 Net Zero target.
In addition to the economic and environmental advantages this project will bring, there will be local benefits in terms of jobs and business growth during construction. There is also an opportunity to consider educational gains and other benefits the development could potentially deliver – we would be happy to discuss this further with you.
Yes. We have a local suppliers registration link on the website so please complete that if you are a local business and interested in the project, or would like to recommend one.
We will work with groups such as the Chamber of Commerce to maximise opportunities for local suppliers.
The preservation of biodiversity and wildlife onsite is a top priority for Statkraft, which is why we are committing to provide ecological enhancements in order to obtain a net biodiversity gain to the site.
The development will deliver the following benefits:
- Retention of existing trees, hedges and pond;
- Additional landscaping including native hedge and tree species planting around the site boundaries specifically selected to add a biodiversity value;
- A significant ‘net gain’ in biodiversity as a result of the landscape scheme which will be outlined within the Landscape Report submitted with the planning application;
- If any trees do need to be felled, they will be sufficiently compensated for elsewhere on the site.
As a global energy company, strategically focused on scaling renewable energy solutions, we believe that we can be instrumental in driving progress toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Though we have numerous initiatives that can be linked to different SDGs, our positive impacts are naturally concentrated around the goals for Climate Action (SDG 13). We contribute directly to climate change mitigation by displacing fossil fuels whilst meeting growing energy demand.
Emergencies
Safety is our priority, which is why all of our sites are fitted with controls which monitor the site 24/7 and can remotely shut down the system.
There will be stringent emergency measures in place, which are outlined in the emergency plan produced before construction starts. In addition, we will have Senior Authorised Persons (SAP) with sufficient competence who will be responsible for the site.
We will also engage a local security company to respond to security alarms within a set time frame.
Statkraft are aware of specific battery fires that have been reported globally. Incorporating experiences and lessons from these fires was a key factor in the design of our Kilathmoy and Glencloosagh BESS projects(External link) in Ireland for example.
The same processes and Health and Safety assessments will be a part of the Ninfield project, including the appropriate liaison with the local Fire Brigade. Our Health and Safety Teams including the Principal Designer, will follow Construction Design and Management 2015 (CDM) regulations and have in-depth involvement in the project to prevent fires and Health, Safety, Security and Environmental (HSSE) risks.
Some of our standard fire safety measures have been included within the Planning Statement which will be submitted to the Council with our application. In addition, a Ninfield fire safety strategy will be produced prior to construction.
Statkraft will implement procedures and plans for emergency situations and will run regular emergency preparedness exercises in order to ensure that all personnel in the organisation, including third parties, are aware of how to act and react if any unplanned situations should occur.
Cooperation will be established with local emergency services to ensure there is an understanding of the technology and fire safety plan put in place.
Some examples of measures we would take include:
- To separate transformers from adjacent structures and from each other.
- Resistance barriers (fire wall), spatial separation, and provided with an enclosure.
- Spatial separation between the transformer and the synchronous compensator building or the facing elevation wall of the building.
- Automatic fire, gas and smoke detection (beam based) within the buildings.
- Automatic fire suppression (e.g. water and/or gas-based sprinklers) within the buildings.
- Use of fire-resistant non-combustible materials/enclosures around the components.
- 24/7 remote control of the temperature of the components.
- Regular maintenance and testing of BESS
A detailed design risk assessment with specific and detailed risk mitigation will be carried out at the design stage. Fire safety measures will be detailed within the planning statement and will be detailed further within the fire safety strategy report with the input from all suppliers and the Statkaft operations team.