Council Approval in Mid and East Antrim hands RES its First Battery Storage Consent in Northern Ireland

RES has received planning permission from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's Planning Committee for its Ballyross battery energy storage system (BESS), the company's first such consent in Northern Ireland.

The decision was made on Monday, 26 October 2026, and was welcomed by the British renewable energy developer as an important step for its operations in the region, where it has been active since the early 1990s.

Siting Chosen for Grid Proximity and Limited Visibility

The approved site lies roughly 2 kilometres south-west of Gleno and 8.5 kilometres south-west of Larne. RES said the land was chosen because of its closeness to the existing Ballyvallagh substation, which the company believes will allow the system to operate efficiently while reducing the requirement for extra grid infrastructure. Visibility also played a role in the selection.

According to RES, the location has limited visibility from nearby properties. Peter Deeney, Senior Development Project Manager at RES, said that new planting planned for the site would cut visibility further while offering valuable resources for a wide range of flora and fauna.

Battery Storage Positioned to Ease System Constraints

RES framed the consent against a backdrop of rising constraints on Northern Ireland's electricity system. The company said that clean, low-cost electricity capable of powering homes and businesses is sometimes prevented from reaching consumers. Battery storage projects of this kind, it argued, can make better use of that electricity by charging when generation is high and discharging when demand increases.

In the company's view, adding flexibility and supporting grid stability through Ballyross will contribute to a more efficient and resilient electricity system, with battery storage growing in importance as Northern Ireland moves toward a low-carbon energy system. "From our office in Larne, RES has been proud to contribute to Northern Ireland's energy future and economic growth since the early 1990s," said Mr Deeney.

"Securing consent for Ballyross, our first battery energy storage project to be consented in Northern Ireland, is an important milestone as we continue transforming the way energy is generated, stored and supplied. Projects such as Ballyross can help make the electricity network more flexible and resilient, so that more renewable energy can be stored and used when it is needed most."

Landscaping Plan Shaped by Community Feedback

The consented scheme carries a substantial landscaping package. Planting of native species is intended to help the development sit comfortably within the surrounding landscape while establishing wildlife corridors and pollinator-friendly habitat, delivering biodiversity benefits beyond the storage infrastructure itself.

RES credited local input with influencing these elements of the design. "We would particularly like to thank the local residents and stakeholders who engaged with us throughout the development of Ballyross," said Mr Deeney. "The feedback shared during consultation helped inform our landscaping plan and shape the project's final design."

Build Programme Expected to Run Around 20 Months

Construction of the Ballyross BESS is anticipated to take approximately 20 months once it begins. The consent announcement did not specify a start date for work on site.