We are pleased to announce one of our latest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for Northern Ireland. This technology plays a vital role in our local energy market. The Climate Change Act (NI) 2022 has set a bold target of 80% renewable generation by 2030, a deadline which is approaching rapidly. ABO Energy remain fully committed to innovative technology solutions which will bolster our transmission and distribution system services so this target can be realised.
We received the approval for the project from the planning committee. This is an important milestone for the further development of the Battery Energy Storage Scheme. We will now continue with the next step and submit the application for the grid connection to the system operator.
An application seeking Full Planning Permission for the project has now been submitted to Mid Ulster District Council. The full submission is available to view online via the Planning Portal. If you are interested to hear more about the proposal, please contact us via the details below.
Accessed via Ballymoughan Road, Magherafelt, the proposal site extends to c. 3.7Ha and is set immediately west of the Magherafelt 275kV substation. The lands are due south of the Coolkeeragh-Magherafelt 275kV Double Circuit Overhead Lines, linking our two most recent BESS projects. The proposed facility will include battery units with all ancillary electrical equipment, on-site 275kV substation, access from Ballymoughan Road, landscaping provision and all other development works.
We have been undertaking a period of site investigation and assessment over recent months, feeding into preliminary design works and layouts. These will be used to inform our Pre-Application Community Consultation process, a legislative 12-week period for projects of this scale, throughout which we will be seeking project input from all members of the public, elected representatives, and other community stakeholders. This will include for an in-person consultation event in April 2023, with more detail to be provided closer to the time.
Following this 12-week period of engagement with the local community, having considered all material planning matters and factoring these into our proposal where practical, a Full Planning Application will be submitted to Mid Ulster District Council in Q2 for assessment and permitting. This will provide another opportunity to review all assessments undertaken to inform the final design and layout. Once submitted, all information will be available on the Public Planning Portal.
If you are interest in the project and would like to be kept up to speed with developments, please contact us at the following:
Magherafelt BES Ltd.
Unit 1 Wallace Studios
Wallace Avenue
Lisburn
BT27 4AE
Phone: +44 (0) 28 9099 6445
Email: ni(at)aboenergy.com
