The proposed construction of a green energy facility in Swansea has taken a step closer after updated plans were recommended for approval.
Applicant Seb Woodward, of Statkraft UK Ltd, is seeking permission to build a Greener Grid Park on land west of Rhydypandy Road, Morriston.
Proposals comprise energy storage and grid balancing equipment, including a change of use from agricultural grazing land, along with associated infrastructure, landscaping and access track.
The application seeks a variation of condition 2 (plans) of planning permission granted on 9 August 2021 to allow for changes to proposed equipment and layout.
A Swansea Council officer’s report said the proposal is for an electricity storage and distribution facility. It is designed to balance electricity demand and supply to prevent shortages and blackouts as a result of the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources that feed into the national grid.
The report said the proposed amendments would not increase the energy storage capacity of the facility as there is no planned increase in battery storage on site.
Recommending approval for the application, officials said the proposed amendments are “considered to be minor in nature, having regard to the overall scale and nature of the scheme”.
Statkraft UK Ltd is 100 per cent owned by the Norwegian state and is Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy. In the UK, Statkraft develop, own and operate wind, solar, hydro and Greener Grid Park projects.
Swansea’s planning committee meets next Tuesday (9 May).
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