​A new battery energy storage system (BESS) the size of four football pitches has been approved on the outskirts of Hull. East Riding of Yorkshire Council has granted planning permission for the facility, which will be built on land north of Saltend Chemicals Park, off Staithes Road. The development will cover a total site area of 2.7 hectares (6.7 acres), although planning documents indicate the space used for the actual battery units will be significantly smaller.

The project includes 45 modular battery containers, along with transformers and inverter units, designed to store electricity generated by renewable sources and release it into the grid when needed. These types of facilities are becoming an important part of the UK's energy infrastructure, helping to balance supply and demand as the country transitions to lower-carbon energy systems.

All equipment will be painted dark green to help it blend into the landscape. The appearance of the site has been considered as part of the planning process, with visuals provided to illustrate how the completed development is expected to look.

Battery energy storage sites such as this one can help manage fluctuations in energy production, particularly from intermittent renewable sources such as wind and solar. By storing excess electricity at times of low demand and discharging it when demand is higher, BESS developments offer a flexible solution for modern energy needs.

The location near Saltend Chemicals Park places the facility close to existing energy infrastructure, which can help streamline its integration into the grid.

According to planning documents, construction and operation will follow safety and environmental guidelines, and the site is expected to remain in use for several decades.

The project forms part of wider efforts across the region and the UK to support net zero targets through the development of clean energy technology.