An energy facility which will help prevent blackouts from solar and wind power has been approved by councillors.

The "pump" will keep the electricity network stable in the event of faults, a job previously done by old power stations.

It will be housed in an agricultural-style shed, a steel frame building on farmland at East Grange Farm near Sheraton village and the A19 and A179.

The "condenser" is a large motor which mimics heavy turbine generators in power stations, a Durham County Council planning committee meeting heard.

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"The proposal is to help prevent blackouts occurring in the National Grid, which can occur when there is a fault on the transmission system," said planning officer Lisa Morina on Tuesday (September 13).

"The chances of this happening are extremely low, but as electricity is increasingly being supplied by solar and wind, the chances of blackouts are increasing.

"Therefore, this proposal would offer a clear and effective solution to keep the National Grid moving in the event of a fault."

No letters were sent to the council about the proposed facility, which would be connected to Hartmoor Substation.

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Council departments and Natural England did not object, though it was noted there could be "the potential to cause some harm to the landscape".

Planning officers concluded the scheme was acceptable and made "a positive contribution to delivering renewable energy" in an appropriate location.

They said it could have some visual impact, but this could be eased through landscaping and planting.

Chartered town planner Dan Grierson, on behalf of developer Decerna Ltd, said: "This is in response to a request from the National Grid.

"Projects such as this are essential if we are going to continue to move to a low-carbon future.

"The project would act as a pump on the network to keep electricity transmission at a steady frequency.

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"The frequency stabilisation services which the project would provide are increasingly necessary as they provide a service previously provided by old fossil fuel thermal power stations which are now closing and being replaced by a much larger number of low carbon generators.

"The proposed position of the condenser is in an area where the National Grid require it. They specifically requested people come forward with this kind of proposal in these areas.

"Unless these things are deployed where required, there is a potential problem of brownouts and blackouts."

Mr Grierson said the compound, with the proposed shed, cooling units, electrical equipment and control room, would be screened with woodland, trees, shrubs and grassland.

"A lot of effort's gone into minimising its footprint, making the building as small as possible, and locating it on a site where it will be mitigated by the existing woodland," he added.

"We're trying to put it somewhere where it's hidden.

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"Consent is sought for a period of up to 20 or so years, after which the site will be decommissioned and restored.

"It's a one-off. It's not a phased proposal. The applicant has no intention to do anything other than this one single project."

He said the landowner at the nearest property was aware of the scheme and had the final say on whether it went ahead.

Councillor Jonathan Elmer said he had been on a site visit: "That was very very useful, to see how effectively it's nested within the landscape, and it does do that."

The committee voted unanimously to approve the plan with conditions.

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