North Wales battery farm plan fuels risk fears but others say build it now
North Wales Live readers have been sharing their thoughts on the proposed plan to build a large Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Gwyddelwern, near Corwen. The Ynni Celyn project has sparked both opposition and support among locals.
A group of Denbighshire residents are opposing plans to construct a large electric battery storage facility in their village, citing fears of explosions and toxic fumes. The developer, NatPower, is proposing to create a large BESS on farmland just outside Gwyddelwern, naming the project Ynni Celyn.
In response, locals have formed the Ynni Celyn Opposition Group. These battery plants store surplus electricity for later use.
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One reader, BarnettFormulaSpongers, argues that the project should proceed without delay, stating: "It will facilitate the green electricity that we need so get on and build it. The NIMBYs are making up scare stories."
Similarly, Nwales001 feels: "We're a relatively small island. Stuff has to go somewhere. The tech for BESS has moved on considerably in the last few years. In particular the LiIon cells for BESS have all moved to LFP chemistry which is massively more resistant to thermal runaway vs the older NMC chemistry associated with all the cell based fires at older BESS sites such as the recent one in California. That one used the LG cells associated with the recall of several EV models such as Jaguar iPace and in the USA the Chevy Volt. In addition to this modern BESS are made up of external separated containers limiting any residual fire risk to smaller volumes. We need MANY many of these BESS sites. Build it as soon as possible."
However, Blazerseams asks: "Look at the risks! Rural areas are the best place to put these risky constructions, not just because they are well away from built up areas but because there are few people there that are likely to suffer the dangers. Like the farmers, rural inhabitants are but fodder for Government meddling - especially this government."
Rojer joins in with: "Battery power is an expensive way of storing power as huge plants often only serve a few hundred/thousand homes. When you add in a possible safety hazard is this a good way of producing electricity when wind and solar sources are not in action due to cloudy and still winter days."
Saveenergy questions: "NatPower said the batteries which would be used 'have been proven to be very safe'. Oh, yes! According to the EPRI's Battery Energy Storage System Failure Incident Database, Since 2011 there have been 91 major fires. The world’s second largest lithium-ion battery storage facility broke into flames last week (Jan. 16) some 77 miles south of San Francisco at Vistra Corp’s 'Moss Landing' site; more than 1,200 people were evacuated from the area for 4 days. This is the third fire to erupt at this Vistra location since 2021. Last May, a fire broke out at L.S. Power’s 250-MW Gateway Li-ion project near San Diego. The fire prompted evacuations and road closures in the vicinity of the plant not far from the Mexican border. The fire burned for 11 days.
"Then you have Lithium-ion battery fires in the transport sector. There have been over 70 reported fires on container ships alone in the past five years. 1.000s of electric buses & cars have gone up in smoke, and just last week several electric school buses went on fire in Massachusetts, & this time last year one burst into flames in Wimbledon during the school run. Lithium-ion battery fires produce many toxic gasses, including hydrogen fluoride, a deadly colorless gas."
Steamnut adds: "Regardless of all of the negative comments here, battery storage is something we desperately need as the grid system is not coping at peak times. Unless the WAG are going to build them it might as well be NatPower."
Derlwyn says: "This technology is prone to thermal runaway and explosive fires, which release toxic gas - there are a number of examples of fires at 'safe' lithium-ion, grid-scale battery stores. Therefore, they need to be located on sites that are easily accessible to specialist fire-fighters, with sufficient emergency services to manage the evacuation of residents. Not at the top of a hill, at the end of a narrow, rural road in an area serviced by retained firefighters."
Derlwyn feels: "This is a money-making exercise. NatPower UK are a Luxembourg based private equity company. They develop battery storage sites around the World and then sell them on for profit. Their main focus is to generate profit for investors not clean, safe energy. The Community Fund mentioned is a smoke-screen; it will be very difficult to access. The Corwen and Gwyddelwern area is an easy target for predatory developers - small population, higher than average rates of deprivation, and few influential residents to lead the out cry. How can a Labour government allow this exploitation?"
PedroD comments: "The combustion products from LiOn batteries are often gaseous and toxic, so like with Bophal where people died in their beds, it’s a question of... if disaster were to strike, how would damage be contained and where would any gas release naturally flow to or be blown to."
Blu3bird says: "Good for the villagers. Most of the stored energy will be exported over the border and not for the village itself. Build it in the North west of England."
So whatare your feelings on battery farms? Join in the conversation in the comments below or HERE.