29 May 2025 – Balance Power, a leading independent energy developer, has secured planning approval for its 30MW battery storage project in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
The facility will support the UK’s transition to net zero by balancing the intermittent energy supply of renewable sources and allowing them to be deployed at a greater pace and scale. Once operational, it will help power approximately 16,225 homes and play a key role in strengthening grid stability.
Comprising 12 battery units with a total storage duration of two hours, the Rochdale BESS project is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by around 11,080 tonnes annually – the equivalent of taking approximately 7,950 cars off the road or planting 17,730 trees.
As part of its long-standing commitment to protecting and enhancing biodiversity, Balance Power has confirmed the development will deliver a 34.82% increase in habitat units and a 16.44% increase in hedgerow units across the surrounding land.
The battery storage site is due to be energised in 2028. At the end of its lifecycle, the facility will be decommissioned, and the site will be fully restored to its original condition.
Lois Gale, Design Lead at Balance Power, said: “Securing planning approval for this project marks another important milestone in our mission to deliver cleaner and more flexible energy infrastructure across the UK. We’re thankful for the constructive dialogue we’ve had with residents and council members to help ensure our Rochdale facility will bolster national energy security while delivering meaningful environmental and economic benefits for the local community.”
“We’re particularly pleased to be enhancing the area’s biodiversity as part of our work, ensuring that the natural environment will continue to thrive during and after the site’s use.”
Since 2017, Balance Power has been pioneering decentralised energy projects across the UK, collaborating with landowners, communities, and councils to support grid stability and achieve national decarbonisation targets. It has successfully advanced 37 energy projects to planning consent, with over 2GW of projects in development. Balance Power continues to lead the transformation of the UK’s energy landscape.
For further information, please contact:
Press Team – Balancepower@standagency.com
Further information about Balance Power can also be found at: https://balancepower.co.uk/
Information about Balance Power’s specific projects, including timelines, benefits, images and more, can be found at: https://balancepower.co.uk/projects
About Balance Power:
Balance Power has been supporting the UK’s transition to a decarbonised grid since the company was founded in 2017.
Specialising in solar, battery storage and wind technologies, it works nationally with landowners, communities, local authorities and businesses to bring about a fundamental shift in how the UK produces and uses power. It has now taken 37 clean energy projects through to planning consent, creating 561.8MW of capacity to support the grid.
Through its energy generation and storage solutions, Balance Power also helps energy-intensive businesses switch to renewable energy, lowering their operational costs and carbon footprints. Providing tailored solutions to meet the individual needs of each business, it manages the process from site evaluation to revenue generation.
With almost 2GW of projects under development, Balance Power has a growing pipeline nationwide and is leading the way in engineering a new energy landscape.