Grain West BESS
Proposed Development on Land South of Power Station Road, Isle of Grain, Rochester
About Econergy
Econergy is an Independent Power Producer that builds, owns, and operates renewable energy projects across Europe. We are committed to powering the world’s future energy needs with sustainable, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. With over 200 projects under development generating more than 7 gigawatts of renewable energy, Econergy is a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future.
Learn more about Econergy at www.econergytech.com.
Project Overview
Econergy is developing proposals for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land south of Power Station Road, Isle of Grain, Rochester. The project will have a total import capacity of 249 Megawatts (MW), capable of powering 50,000 homes for 2 hours.
The proposed site is located on 8.8 hectares of agricultural land, bordered by hedgerows and trees. The site is situated in an area characterised by industrial and energy infrastructure, including the NueConnect Converter Station and the Grain Combined Heat and Power Station.
The proposed development will have an operational lifespan of approximately 40 years, after which the site will be restored to its former state. This project is a critical step in supporting the UK’s transition to a net-zero economy by 2050, providing grid stability and enabling the integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
Key Features of the Project
Capacity: 249 MW, enough to power 50,000 homes for 2 hours.
Location: 8.8 hectares of agricultural land south of Power Station Road, Isle of Grain.
Grid Connection: Underground cable route connecting to the Grain West 400kV substation.
Lifespan: 40 years, with full site restoration after decommissioning.
Site Location
Project design
The proposed development includes:
Battery Energy Storage Units: 249 MW capacity.
Ancillary Infrastructure: Cabling, transformer units, switchgear, fencing, and CCTV.
Security Measures: 2.4m high metal fencing and intelligent sensor cameras.
Landscape and Biodiversity Enhancements: Planting and habitat creation to support pollinators and wildlife.
Why This Project is Needed
The UK Government has set a legally binding target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with an accelerated goal of 2030 for a net-zero electricity system. Battery storage is essential for:
Balancing the Grid: Storing surplus energy during periods of low demand and releasing it during peak times.
Supporting Renewable Energy: Enabling the integration of intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.
Reducing Carbon Emissions: Helping to decarbonise the energy system and combat climate change.
This project aligns with national and local policies, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy.
Environmental Benefits
Carbon Reduction: Helping to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
Biodiversity Enhancements: Planting hedgerows, wildflowers, and installing bat boxes and bird houses to support local wildlife.
Community Benefits
Community Fund: £500 per MW per year, totalling £1,000,000 over 40 years for local improvements.
Business Rates: Estimated at £125,000 per year, contributing £5,000,000 over the project’s lifespan.
Economic Benefits:
Local Jobs: Creating employment opportunities during construction and operation.
Grid Stability: Supporting the UK’s energy infrastructure and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Community Engagement
Econergy is committed to engaging with the local community throughout the development process. We have already undertaken:
Webinars and Information Events: To explain the project and answer questions.
We will continue to work closely with the community as the project progresses.
Public Consultation: Held in 2022, with feedback incorporated into the design.
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
Econergy is committed to engaging with the local community throughout the development process.
We are hosting a webinar on Thursday 27 March 2025 to discuss the project. This will be hosted by the developer and planning consultant. Please click here to register your attendance.
FAQs
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Grain West is a proposed BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) with an import capacity of 249 MW that could power 50,000 homes. It would be located on 8.8 hectares on Isle of Grain, to the East of Grain Road and South of Power Station Road.
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Grain West is being developed by Econergy, an independent power producer. Econergy has a proven track record of building, owning, and operating renewable energy projects across Europe with over 200 projects currently under development. We are helping to power the world’s future energy needs with world-leading renewable energy plants optimised to provide a consistent supply of sustainable energy with a significant environmental impact.
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The ever-increasing effects of climate change mean there is a significant and quantifiable need for the deployment of renewable energy generation and storage in the UK, which is being driven by UK Government legislation and policy. The UK Government has committed to meeting a legally binding target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, which now includes an accelerated political target of 2030 for a net zero electricity system under the Labour Government, known as Clean Power 2030. Energy security is also more important than ever, Grain West offers a flexible way of storing energy that could power 50,000 homes.
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The site for Grain West was selected because of its proximity to associated existing energy infrastructure, including the Grain electricity substation located approximately 0.8km to the South. The land consists of a single arable field and the closest residential properties are located immediately north on Grain Road (B2001). There are no other buildings in the general vicinity of the Site which is largely characterised by energy, industrial and agricultural land use.
General
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Battery Storage Systems can deliver major benefits to the environment, in addition to cutting carbon emissions and increasing flexibility of renewable energy. Econergy will seek to avoid the loss directly or indirectly of wildlife habitats, environments and any associated natural systems as outlined in Local Plan Policy BNE48.
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The Site falls within Flood Zone 1 and is generally at low risk of surface water flooding. The site is also located within an area benefitting from Tidal Flooding protection. Grain West will be subject to a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) as well as aiming to integrate flood mitigation measures.
Environment
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Econergy will be submitting a full planning application for Grain West to Medway Council, which is the local planning authority for the project.
Community
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The area for Grain West is approximately 8.8 hectares, located on a single agricultural field.
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Although not anticipated to include any overhead cables or pylons, our proposals will include an underground cable connection in a North West direction, for 0.55 km, to reach Grain West 400Kv Substation.
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Grain West would have an operational lifespan of approximately 40 years, before the Site is restored back to its former state.
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Grain West will facilitate renewable generation by creating much needed flexibility and applicability. It is therefore a vital part of a low carbon energy system and an important piece of infrastructure. This is critical for the transition to a low carbon future, as outlined in local and national policy. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are naturally intermittent. Grain West would be capable of taking energy from the grid when there is a surplus due to lower usage, such as on a particularly sunny or windy day, and feed it back onto the grid when there is more demand and/or less supply. The overall site area has decreased by around 14 hectares. This is a result of the removal of panels on the western side to create a buffer for vital ecosystems.
Technical
Safety
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The design and layout of Grain West would be developed in accordance with the National Fire Chief Councils (NFCCs) ‘Draft Guidance on Grid Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems’ (2024), and an Outline Energy Storage Safety Management Plan (OESMP) would be submitted with any future planning application. Fire hazard risks will accounted for and addressed comprehensively before an application is submitted.
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Traffic associated with West Grain would be largely limited to the temporary construction phase, during which appropriate and proportionate management measures would be implemented. Traffic during operation would be limited to periodic maintenance/inspection and a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) will be made available in due course setting out more details.
It is likely that an existing field / farm access will be retained and enhanced to serve the Proposed Development.
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Any potential noise levels at Grain West will be secured through site design and conditional planning. However, we anticipate the only other site noise would be that associated with occasional visits by maintenance/service vehicles. We anticipate that Grain West is unlikely to have a significant noise impact on the existing noise sensitive properties surrounding the Site and that the noise associated with such activities would be negligible and less than that associated with other business, industrial and agricultural uses in the area. There will be a Noise Assessment as part of the planning application.
Traffic and Noise
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Grain West’s planning application would be accompanied by Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) and accompanied by a Landscape Masterplan. The two reports will demonstrate how the development could be assimilated into the surrounding landscape without causing any detrimental harm to the wider landscape character, visual amenity, or existing landscape attributes of the area. This would consequently demonstrate compliance with local and national planning policies for landscaping. The Landscape Masterplan and scheme design will take into account the Site’s relationship with existing landscape features and other nearby uses such as the residential areas to the north, to ensure appropriate screening where necessary.