A site plan for the Rigifa BESS proposal, to be developed by Field. Image: Field

Three proposals for battery energy storage system (BESS) projects for the Scottish Highlands are set to be considered by Highland Council.

Proposals of Application Notice (PANs) have been submitted for three potential BESS projects, two by Field Energy and one by Forss Energy Storage. Submitting a PAN is a statutory requirement for major or national developments, and PANs must be lodged with local authorities at least 12 weeks prior to the submission of a full planning application.

The three BESS PANs will be considered at a meeting of Highland Council’s North Planning Applications Committee tomorrow (7 August).

Field Energy, which finances, builds and operates renewable energy infrastructure, has submitted planning applications for two 200MW BESS projects, one in Rigifa, East Caithness, and one in Garve, Wester Ross. The applications were submitted under the subsidiaries Field Rigifa Ltd and Field Corrimoillie Ltd, respectively.

The Rigifa project proposes developing the BESS on Phillip Mains Farm, which would connect to the existing Gills Bay substation, while the Corriemoillie project would be located on the site of the former Corriemoillie quarry and connect to the Corriemoillie substation. Both PANs note that permission will be requested for biodiversity enhancements on site, but it has not yet been revealed what form these may take.

Meanwhile, Forss Energy Storage has submitted proposals for a 49.9MW BESS within the Forss Business and Technology Park, near Thurso. Notably, the site already features existing energy infrastructure, including six operational wind turbines and a combined heat and power facility, with planning permission granted earlier this year for a seventh wind turbine.

The proposed layout indicates multiple BESS units would be located to the west of the main business park, between two of the site’s wind turbines. Around 50 structures, including around 30 battery units as well as substations and ancillary buildings, will be built on the proposed site.

Proposed layout for the Forss BESS project. Image: Highland Council.

Forss Energy Storage has not stated when they believe the project will begin construction if approved, but Field estimates that if planning consent is granted, both the Rigifa and Corriemoillie projects will begin construction in 2027 and take around two years to complete.

Major BESS planning approvals ramping up

Further south, another major BESS project was recently granted full planning permission in the North East of England.

This content was collected from the Internet. If you want to it, please contact grace solar management.