Residents want answers on plan for battery farm

Concerned locals fear that proposals to put a 100Mw energy storage system next to a beauty spot will be a mistake. Filipa Gaspar and Lee Trewhela report

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LOCALS say they fear a beauty spot could be ruined after plans for a large battery storage 'farm' were announced.

Elgin Energy is seeking to develop a battery storage system on land next to Penrose Water Gardens, in Tregavethan, near Threemilestone.

But residents fear that plans for up to 80 containers on a field currently used for grazing deer will be a fire hazard, visibly impact the location and create noise pollution.

Currently at the public consultation stage, if a planning application is approved the site would accommodate approximately 100 megawatts (MW) of standalone battery storage - with a project lifetime of 50 years. The company said the proposed project will allow the storage and release of energy for the entire grid, contributing to local and national energy targets with additional benefits.

But locals are not sure about its benefits - adding they are concerned it will affect the local wildlife and pose fire and flood risks. Some say they have not received a formal written notification and only heard about it online or through their neighbours.

Steve Greener, 73, who runs Penrose Water Gardens, says the battery farm proposal is for the "wrong site" and will "spoil" the gardens' natural beauty. Mr Greener explained: "It is not a site that I would think is the correct place - it can be quite dangerous if it catches fire. My concern is if something went wrong there are lots of children that could get hurt. I'm looking at it from the nature of it and the health and safety of those who visit the water gardens.

"I'm not against renewable energy at all - I just feel it's the wrong site for what they wish to put there."

Mr Greener is also afraid that the battery plant will stop visitors from going to the water gardens.

He said: "We have a lot of visitors there from all over the country. It can be noisy and we have a water garden with all sorts of nature-with baby ducks, herons and lots of wildlife.