This development is the largest standalone BESS approved in Scotland. Image: Apatura Energy.

Energy storage specialist Apatura has gained planning approval for a 700MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Inverclyde, Scotland.

Once completed, the Aunchetiber BESS will be Scotland’s largest standalone BESS, while also marking the largest project Apatura has received approval for across its 10GW pipeline.

The BESS will be situated on around 16.39 hectares of land near Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, with permission secured for the construction of 240 BESS units, 140 BESS transformers, 280 BESS inveters, three 33kV switchrooms, a 400kV control building, and a 400kV to 33kV transformer compound.

Invercylde Council’s Energy Consents Unit approved the permission on 11 September, with no objections lodged by the council in the process. The Decision Letter from the approval praises Apatura for its good practice community engagement. A community benefit fund will be created as part of the development process, and two species of native trees will be planted on site to boost biodiversity.

Andrew Philpott, chief development officer at Apatura, stated: “We are delighted that Ministers have supported this critically important scheme and the local Council – Inverclyde – lodged no objections.  Our focus on Scotland is central to our vision to harness its renewable energy potential.”

“BESS plays a crucial role in modern energy management, especially in the context of renewable energy integration and grid stability. This scheme will help deliver stable energy prices, leading to reduced bills, taking the pressure off households while at the same time increasing energy security. We are determined to deliver reliable, clean energy to communities across the ry and this latest planning consent does just that,” concluded Philpott.

Scottish BESS on the rise

While Apatura Energy has recently had some smaller planning wins in Scotland, with the approval of three projects totalling 85MW of capacity since December, it is the larger BESS proposals in Scotland that have been drawing the sector’s attention the most.

A 49.9MW project by Scala Renewables Group near Kintore was recently granted full planning permission, despite immense public backlash which saw Aberdeenshire Council receiving 51 letters of objection throughout the planning process.

Meanwhile, Kona Energy has been granted planning permission for a 228MW/456MWh 2-hour duration BESS project in East Lothian. The Smeaton BESS is expected to be made up of 75 arrays of BESS units, and Kona Energy is currently seeking investment to bring the project to life.

Scotland is a natural fit for energy storage projects owing to its large number of wind energy projects, both on and offshore, so it is unsurprising that other energy storage technologies are also flourishing in Scotland.

In May, Glen Earrach Energy (GEE) announced its intention to develop a 30GWh pumped hydro storage project at Scotland’s world-famous Loch Ness and has recently submitted a scoping request to the Scottish Government. Meanwhile, ILI Group has submitted a planning application for the 1.5GW Balliemeanoch pumped hydro energy storage project, which if approved could be connected to the grid as soon as 2031.

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