UK-based developer Clearstone Energy has received local planning consent for two battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in England, totalling 700 megawatts (MW) of capacity, as the country ramps up its push toward renewable energy targets.
The Bramford Storage project in Suffolk, rated at 300MW/600MWh, and the 400MW/800MWh Great Oak Energy Hub in Sussex, have both been approved by Mid Suffolk District Council and Horsham District Council respectively. The latter’s approval followed the completion of a Section 106 agreement to support landscaping and habitat provisions.
The two projects were greenlit following community consultations and faced no remaining objections from statutory consultees or local emergency services.
“These projects are ready to build and conversations with National Grid about grid connections are already well progressed,” said Rob Garratt, head of development at Clearstone Energy. “We look forward to working with National Grid and the National Energy System Operator to find ways of bringing forward connection dates in support of Clean Power 2030.”
With the latest approvals, Clearstone’s UK portfolio of ready-to-build BESS projects now stands at 1.1GW/2.2GWh. The developer said the projects are aligned with the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 and 2035 targets, which seek to significantly expand low-carbon electricity generation and improve grid flexibility.
In addition to its UK pipeline, Clearstone expanded its development operations to Italy in early 2025, with plans to establish a 1GW BESS pipeline in the country over the next two years.
In November 2024, the company sold a 200MW/800MWh ready-to-build BESS project near Hartlepool to Field Energy, reflecting ongoing commercial interest in energy storage infrastructure.
Clearstone said the Suffolk and Sussex projects are expected to support near-term energisation, contributing to the UK’s broader transition to a low-carbon energy system.
