Plans for a battery energy storage system in north Cumbria have been approved.
ESB (Harker) wants to install 184 battery units at Harker Moss, near Carlisle.
The 360mw system, in a 2.55 hectare compound, would be connected to the nearby Harker substation by underground cable.
A battery storage compound consists of batteries that can store energy and are able to release or absorb energy from the power network.
They would help balance out demand on the National Grid. When there is not enough power, during periods of high demand, batteries are discharged to balance under frequency preventing black and brown outs.
To balance over-frequency, batteries are charged to store electricity which is not required at the time of generation.
Dan Clemments, agent for the firm, said the nearby Harker substation was one of the most important such sites in the area and the development would help with infrastructure deficiency as there were issues with renewable energy accessing the grid.
The facility could store enough to power 752,000 homes over the standard two-hour period, he said.
Most recently, Harker Moss has been used as a smallholding, with agricultural structures and fencing around the site.
The majority of the remaining site is wet woodland, covered in secondary birchwood, which supports an array of wildlife.
Rockcliffe Parish Council raised no objections to the proposal and when it was advertised there were no verbal or written representations received by Cumberland Council.
Councillor Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems) said it supported the green agenda and, when he proposed that they approve it, he was seconded by Councillor Tony Markley (Solway Coast, Conservative).
It was recommended that the application was granted subject to planning conditions and when it was put to the vote nine of the 10 committee were in favour.
