Battery energy storage system (BESS) developer Root-Power has been granted planning permission for a 30MW/60MWh BESS in Greater Manchester.
The Ellen Road BESS development will be located next to the M62 motorway near Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The site was chosen for its limited agricultural potential, with the proximity to the motorway presenting both challenges and advantages to the planning process, with the high level of ambient background noise aiding the approval of the development. Current plans for the site occupy only 0.6 acres, but Root-Power notes the site has the potential to be augmented if the need arises.
Planning permission was secured in less than five months, with no outstanding objections from statutory consultees.
The project comes as part of a successful run of planning approvals so far in 2025. Last week, the developer announced that it had been granted planning permission for a 100MW/200MWh BESS in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, which was also granted approval in less than five months.
Neil Brooks, managing director of Root-Power, said the company was “excited” to secure planning permission for the Ellen Road BESS, adding: “Greater Manchester is one of the most energy-intensive regions in the UK, and this project at Rochdale will add key resilience and security to the local network”. Brooks also noted that the firm is expecting an exciting few months ahead, with a major BESS project due to go live shortly and three projects in the detailed design phase.
A strong start for Root-Power
This year has already been full of success for Root-Power, a relatively new entry into the UK BESS market.
Ellen Road is the sixth BESS project the developer has been awarded planning consent for in the last three months. Last month, Root-Power announced that planning permission had been granted for a 40MW/80MWh BESS in Rotherham; much like the Ellen Road BESS, this is also located adjacent to a major motorway.
Earlier that same month, the company secured planning consent for the Dounreay BESS, a 34MW/68MWh project to be located in the Scottish Highlands; once connected to the grid in 2026, the BESS will serve North Scotland and the Orkney Islands.
Meanwhile, in January, Root-Power started the year off on a strong footing after winning planning consent for the 40MW/80MWh Osgodby BESS, located in Selby, North Yorkshire. Once completed, the project will connect to the Osgodby grid supply point and will deliver a biodiversity net gain of 40.72%.
