Project Overview
Cooklands BESS will help decarbonise the UK electricity grid by storing renewable energy and providing fast-response flexibility to meet peaks in demand. Once operational, it will support local energy resilience and national energy security.
The 50MW project has been carefully designed to integrate sensitively with its surroundings. It is located within the Wakefield Green Belt, and the accompanying Landscape Strategy provides multiple layers of screening to ensure the development is well-shielded from nearby residential properties.
PRE APPLICATION
The planning application was submitted to Wakefield Council in May 2024.
Cooklands BESS will deliver a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain, in line with planning requirements. The project’s Landscape Strategy includes the creation of new planting and habitat improvements, helping enhance local ecological value and ensuring the development is well integrated into the landscape.
Careful attention has been paid to screening, with layers of planting and existing vegetation shielding the site from view, particularly from nearby residential areas.
- Capacity: 50MW
- Storage: 100MWh
- Homes Powered: 100,000
- Energisation Date: Late-2026
Timeline and next steps
Following the expected approval at the July 2025 Planning Committee, construction and grid connection works would commence, targeting operational status in line with grid readiness and supply chain timelines.
Cooklands BESS represents a key step in delivering a flexible, low-carbon electricity network for both Wakefield and the wider UK energy system.