Latest news with #Elmya
BBC News
27-05-2025
- BBC News
Norfolk MP seeks assurances over safety of Rushall battery farm
The Green Party co-leader said he wanted to know how fire risks could be managed if plans for one of Europe's largest battery storage sites were want to install more than a thousand battery containers on land on the outskirts of the small village of Rushall, near Diss in the company behind the plan - Elmya - has said safety measures will be in place, residents fear the site could catch Adrian Ramsay – whose Waveney Valley constituency includes Rushall – said he did not "want to scaremonger" but would be meeting with Norfolk's fire chief to discuss their concerns. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are used to hold electricity generated by renewables like solar and wind farms, which can then be put into the grid when the lithium used in the batteries can cause explosions if it overheats.A fire at a small BESS site in Liverpool in 2020 took fire crews 59 hours to extinguish, whilst a blaze at a huge site in California was left to burn on the advice of fire experts. Ramsay said he would speak to Norfolk's chief fire officer about the proposed site at Rushall, as well as one that would be part of the East Pye solar said he wanted to know how fire risks could be managed and assessed, and how fire crews might access remote, countryside sites:"I don't want to scaremonger on that at all, but I do take the questions residents are raising seriously." Asher Minns, from the Tyndall Centre For Climate Research at the University of East Anglia, said data on BESS sites across the world "wasn't great" but he believed the risk of fire was "very low"."There's better [safety] guidelines coming out all the time," he – which has yet to submit its plans for the site at Rushall – said it would have "advanced monitoring, early fire detection, and suppression systems".Development director James Innes insisted the project's safety was "paramount" and the company would be "following National Fire Chiefs Council guidance".A Norfolk Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "We continue to proactively work with site designers and operators of battery energy storage systems to help them improve both their site designs, and the accessibility for firefighting. "This is to reduce and mitigate for the likelihood of any fire on their premises." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Mendlesham White Elm solar farm put on pause 'indefinitely'
Plans for a new, large solar farm have been put on pause "indefinitely" by its project team. The 675-acre (275-hectare) plot of land near Mendlesham in Suffolk was earmarked for the White Elm project by Spanish firm Elmya RPC Grange Road Limited.A consultation began on Monday for several communities and was expected to run until 30 a statement on its project website, the firm said it had "taken a decision to pause development of the project indefinitely". The White Elm site, which also surrounds Wickham Skeith and Thwaite, sits five miles (8km) south of another proposed solar farm in Suffolk County Council said it would object to the proposal if high quality farmland was which was expected to submit its scheme to the local planning authority in 2026, had said the project would power more than 40,000 homes. Labour's Energy Secretary Ed Miliband was expected to have the final say on the Elm Solar Farm's statement added: "Please note that the ongoing non-statutory consultation has been cancelled with immediate effect."This includes the two public consultation events on Saturday 31st May and Wednesday 4th June." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The National
02-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Plans for battery storage site at Scottish tourist attraction
Renewable energy developer Elmya hopes the ambitious project at Kelburn Estate will help boost the facility and businesses in the surrounding area as the fight to tackle climate change goes on across North Ayrshire and beyond. The developer has launched plans for a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility within the grounds of the Kelburn Estate. It is expected that the investment will enable the estate to plan for the long-term and invest in its future, providing an opportunity to hire more people and explore new ways to benefit the local area. READ MORE: All jobs lost at subsea tech firm in Scotland as firm enters administration And it is also expected that local businesses and suppliers will gain from significant opportunities throughout the construction and operation. Kelburn Estate is a site of historic importance, housing a castle, built in the 13th century, which is believed to be the oldest in Scotland to have been continuously inhabited by the same family. The proposed development will have a capacity of 400MW and will be able to store renewable energy to be used during times of peak demand, strengthening Scotland's energy independence and enabling developers to offer green power even when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining. David Boyle, of Kelburn Estate, said: 'We are delighted to welcome the proposals for the Battery Energy Storage System. 'Not only does it help the estate contribute to Scotland's fight against climate change, it will also provide more opportunities for us to grow and develop our offering to the local community. 'With this investment, we could rejuvenate the grounds and explore new opportunities to open up the site for everyone to enjoy for years to come.' The site is all based on the grounds on the Kelburn estate, in between Auchenhary Wood and Auchenhary Hill. READ MORE: First Orange walk in more than a decade planned in Scottish town Elmya are seeking feedback from residents on its proposals. As part of this engagement, the project team will be hosting a public consultation event on Thursday, May 22 at the pavilion on the Kelburn Estate from 3pm until 7pm. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions, discuss the initial proposals and gather feedback. Stephen Milburn, senior development manager of Elmya, said: 'We are delighted to be bringing forward our proposals for a Battery Energy Storage System. We believe that the development will accelerate Scotland's journey towards Net Zero and provide an economic boost to the local area. 'Community Feedback is essential for us to create a development which is effective both for us and the local community. We look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts and addressing any questions on the project'. Elmya is also encouraging online feedback via the website until June 8.
