UK BESS: Innova green light for 800MWh unit, Banks sells 2.9GWh project

October 10, 2023
LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email

Developers Innova and Banks Renewables have progressed two large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in the UK totalling 3.7GWh of capacity.

Innova announced the planning approval from Cumberland council for the 400MW/800MWh Blackdyke Farm Energy Storage Project yesterday (9 October), the same day Banks sold the 2.9GWh Thorpe Marsh Green Energy BESS project in South Yorkshire to West Burton Energy.

Blackdyke is the first of Innova’s portfolio of transmission system-connected energy storage projects to be fully consented to. Though Innova did not say when construction would start, it needs to begin within three years of the decision.

“This is the first in a total of 26 transmission connections Innova are developing which, subject to planning, will bring a further 23GW of energy projects to the UK in the next decade and play a significant role in decarbonising our energy system,” said Ryan Adams, managing director of Innova Renewables Development.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Banks Renewables sale of the Thorpe Marsh BESS to West Burton Energy meanwhile came just days after parent company Banks Group sold it to global investor Brookfield.

West Burton Energy will now take the project on through the planning process, construction and into operations, although a timeline was not revealed in the announcement.

See the full version of this article on Solar Power Portal.

Energy-Storage.news’ publisher Solar Media will host the 9th annual Energy Storage Summit EU in London, 21-22 February 2024. This year it is moving to a larger venue, bringing together Europe’s leading investors, policymakers, developers, utilities, energy buyers and service providers all in one place. Visit the official site for more info.

Read Next

January 7, 2026
Origin Energy has announced the commercial commencement of the 1,770MWh Eraring Battery 1 in New South Wales, Australia.
January 6, 2026
It’s our first week back to normal service so here’s a roundup of the past few weeks of BESS action in Europe, with projects moving forward in Romania, Denmark, UK, France, Spain, Albania, Germany and Austria.
January 6, 2026
In this blog, Kashish Shah, market development manager at Wärtsilä Energy Storage, argues that Australia’s complex battery storage market makes full-scope integration the most viable path for successful project delivery.
Premium
January 5, 2026
In a surprising move, the North American development arm of Engie has asked the California Energy Commission (CEC) to pause the review of its Compass Energy Storage project destined for Orange County, in order to assess alternative development sites. 
December 17, 2025
It’s been a busy few weeks in the run-up to Christmas in Europe’s BESS project space, with M&A, final investment decisions (FID) and supplier deals in Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Finland, Romania and the UK totally around 800MW of capacity.