County Derry residents launch objections to battery energy storage system plans

Local residents have launched their objections to plans for a battery energy storage system just outside Claudy.

The proposed development from Ballyarton Energy Limited would see the erection of a 150WMh (75MW/2hrs) battery energy storage system (Bess)

The area of the proposal is 7,300 square metres, slightly larger than the average football pitch.

It includes two switch rooms, site lighting, transformer compound and a control room, boundary fencing, landscaping and ancillary works.

At time of writing 65 objections have been submitted on the Planning Portal website and no comments in support have been submitted. There has been more debate about the pros and cons on the Claudy Life Facebook page.

Neighbour consultation will end on 1 March while standard consultation will end 4 February.

Objectors have concerns around the safety of the battery and its effect on the scenery. Many feel there was not enough time permitted for objections and more should have been notified of the proposal than the one neighbouring house that was sent a letter.

One objector wrote: “As a local resident I have strong objection to the proposed plans for this electrical battery site currently seeking planning permission on the Gortnaran Road.

“I note that as a neighbouring resident and farming family this was not brought to our attention sooner. Given the issues surrounding light pollution, noise and safety concerns around leakages not to mention the impact on local wildlife I strongly object.

“The area has already suffered greatly as a direct impact of the A6 road development, this would be more suited to an industrial site not a rural area with so many residents nearby. I doubt such plans would pass in a residential area.

Another wrote “There are enough empty units in Derry/Strabane that could be converted. Please don't spoil our countryside. Thank you..

Health & Safety Executive Northern Ireland said it had concerns regarding fire and explosions in its consultation response.

“An explosion from a single BESS container can cause an overpressure resulting in the partial demolition of a house up to 45 metres away,” the document said.

“A hydrogen fluoride plume generated by a fire can cause serious injury up to 45 metres away.”

The area the site is in was previously designated an Area of High Landscape Importance ( AHLI) according to Derry City and Strabane District Council's Local Development Plan (LDP).

The LDP states there will be a 'general presumption against development proposals' in an AHLI unless the proposal demonstrates it will not 'adversely affect or adversely change' the area.

In its Emergency Response Plan, submitted as part of the proposal, the company says the battery packs are equipped with automatic fire suppression systems.

It also claimed a review of Hazardous Substances Produced in a Loss of Control Scenario was conducted would accompany the report. It was not uploaded in time for the neighbour consultation and has still not been uploaded.

In support, a commenter on a Claudy Life Facebook page post about the proposal wrote:

“Don’t see why it needs to be objected to. Really don’t see what the issue is at all. Batteries seem to be the way forward in storing energy so we have enough to go around. Everyone wants an electric car these days but how do we have power for them all?”

The storage system is intended to be situated at 85 M. North East of No. 10 Gortnaran Road, Claudy, BT47 3SX.