'Flood risk' concerns over energy storage system being built in Doncaster
A Reform UK councillor in Doncaster has expressed concerns over the flood risk at the site of a large Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in her ward.
Councillor Vicky Lawson, who represents Norton and Askern ward, questioned the safety of the Thorpe Marsh BESS, which was granted planning permission in January 2025, due to the nearby area’s history with flooding.
She said: “Residents here know the damage flooding can cause. It is entirely reasonable to question whether placing one of Europe’s largest battery storage sites in a flood-prone area is sensible or safe.
“Reform UK councillors were elected to protect our communities. Energy projects must be in the right place and safe for residents, and many people simply do not believe that case has been made.”
Thorpe Marsh BESS will be the largest facility of its kind in the UK and is located in Doncaster North, the constituency of Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Cllr Lawson is raising her concerns regarding the project with the assistance of party colleague Cllr Rachel Reed, who represents Conisbrough ward.
“It’s a massive flood risk. It’s every time it rains,” Cllr Reed explained.
The Conisbrough councillor questioned the reliability and output capacity of the project, which is currently under construction and is expected to be fully operational in 2027.
However, Cllr Reed said power through the BESS will be constrained until the early 2030s due to the project sitting in a “transmission corridor”.
“It’s not in the right place and we shouldn’t be doing it,” she said.
According to Fidra Energy, the company behind Thorpe Marsh BESS, the project will span 55 acres and have capacity to power 800,000 homes.
BESS sites use a collection of large batteries to store electrical energy. The facilities are the fastest responding dispatchable sources of power, quickly dealing with unexpected failures in the electrical grid.
A spokesperson for Fidra Energy responded: “Flood risk at our Thorpe Marsh site was carefully assessed throughout the planning process by an independent flood expert.
“The project is being developed on the former Thorpe Marsh power station site, a brownfield location that has been home to electricity infrastructure for decades.
“We have secured a firm grid connection date in 2027 connecting to the adjacent Thorpe Marsh substation. Once fully operational, Thorpe Marsh will support the local economy and national energy security by storing electricity and releasing it when it’s needed most, supporting the transition to a more resilient, low-carbon energy system.
“The project will also contribute to the local area through the creation of permanent skilled jobs as well as supporting local supply chain opportunities.”