Latest news with #Apatura
STV News
27-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
MSP urges councillors who greenlit controversial battery storage site to resign
Permission for a controversial plan to store energy in batteries on greenbelt land in Eaglesham could be revoked by East Renfrewshire Council. Two Conservative councillors, Jim McLean and Andrew Morrison, will ask the council's planning committee to back a U-turn at a meeting next week. Initially, councillors rejected a plan from GPC 1337 Ltd, a subsidiary of Apatura, for a 40MW battery energy storage facility on an agricultural site on the east side of Glasgow Road. But the firm's second bid was approved last month, despite over 300 objections, on the casting vote of the chair, Cllr Betty Cunningham, Labour, after a 3-3 vote. Both applications had been recommended for approval by planners. Since the second plan got the green light, a Scottish Government reporter has announced his decision to uphold the original refusal of the first application. He had been considering an appeal by the applicants. More than 3,000 people have signed a petition calling for the planning approval to be overturned. It states: 'Our voices have been ignored and the decision does not reflect the best interest of those who call this area home.' Cllr McLean and Cllr Morrison opposed both proposals when they were presented to the planning committee. They raised concerns over the appropriateness of the site. The aim of the scheme is to store surplus energy from the national grid in the batteries, which would then be returned when required. It has been described as a 'temporary' installation, with the site returned to its previous condition after 40 years. The first application was refused after councillors raised concerns over the risk of fire from lithium-ion batteries. Local MSP Jackson Carlaw, Conservative, has said the greenbelt should be protected and the proposal is 'intrusive and inappropriate'. He also said there were 'very serious concerns and real-life examples of fires that have erupted at battery plants because of the lithium-ion batteries'. Keith Bray, the independent reporter appointed by Scottish Ministers, refused the appeal over the original application earlier this month. He found that 'while the proposal could make a small-scale and indirect contribution to renewable energy and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, it would entail development that has adverse visual effects in a greenbelt location where strict control over new development is to be exercised'. Mr Bray added: 'When completing my decision, the council approved a revised scheme on the site and the appellant asked to submit it. Given it was late in the appeal process, I did not accept it.' He also said the company had asked to submit drawings which showed the 'installation of two further above-ground water tanks' to align with the proposal's fire safety plan. These weren't accepted as they 'constituted a change to the proposal'. Council officials had reported the second application differed from the original as more information has been submitted on fire safety, and a water tank is now proposed to be underground. They added that the development includes specialised container units for the batteries and fire suppression equipment. Following the reporter's decision, Mr Carlaw added it 'highlights with even greater clarity that people in Eaglesham and Waterfoot have been utterly ignored and failed by the council'. He called on councillors who backed the development to 'consider their position and resign'. GPC 1337 Ltd has said the development will 'support the decarbonisation of the energy industry in the UK' and 28 other sites had been considered, but this is 'the only deliverable, viable' one. The plans were 'accompanied by a suite of technical documents which demonstrate the proposal will not lead to significant adverse harm,' the applicants added. East Renfrewshire's planning applications committee will meet on Wednesday, June 4. The motion asks for planning officials to issue a revocation order under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apatura gains planning permission for Scottish 100MW BESS project
Renewable energy storage provider Apatura has received planning permission from the Scottish government's Energy Consents Unit and North Ayrshire Council for a new 100MW battery energy storage system (BESS) near Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland. This is a step forward in the UK's efforts to enhance energy resilience and transition to renewable power sources. Located half a kilometre north-east of Kilwinning, the project will occupy eight acres of land east of Old Glasgow Road. The Kilwinning BESS is part of a growing cluster of similar developments in the region, contributing to the nation's sustainable energy infrastructure. The approval marks Apatura's tenth successful BESS planning consent since January 2024, expanding its total consented BESS portfolio to more than 1.6GW. The Scottish government's Energy Consents Unit stated in the letter granting consent that: 'Scottish Ministers consider the proposed development will support the resilience of the electricity network through the electricity it generates and the additional technical services it can provide to the electricity system operator… once operational, the project will provide essential flexibility to the grid, storing excess renewable energy for use when it's needed most.' The construction and operation of the Kilwinning BESS will create direct employment opportunities, as well as indirect jobs within the supply chain and related services. The BESS will play a crucial role in achieving the Scottish government's objective of sourcing 50% of Scotland's overall energy consumption from renewables and establishing a net-zero energy system by 2045. Apatura chief development officer Andrew Philpott stated: 'BESS sites like the Kilwinning development are integral for enabling Scotland and the UK to achieve their net-zero targets. 'Not only does battery storage help manage our renewable energy supply and demand, it also helps bolster the stability of our national grid and boost local economies as well.' In February 2025, Apatura received planning permission for a 400MW BESS near Stirling, Scotland. "Apatura gains planning permission for Scottish 100MW BESS project" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Glasgow Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Objection to Bearsden battery storage system withdrawn
Battery energy storage systems allow for the storage of electricity produced via renewable means so it can be released to the grid when required. Proposals to build power facilities with a capacity greater than 50 megawatts are determined by the Scottish Government, rather than the local planning authority. However, East Dunbartonshire Council is a statutory consultee and its views must be considered during the planning process. Cases where such objections are maintained can potentially lead towards a public inquiry. As the application from Apatura, seeking permission to develop the facility on land at Cochno Road, was considered by the council's planning board, convener Councillor Callum McNally (Labour, Lenzie & Kirkintilloch South) moved to uphold the council's objection. READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon objects to illegal HMO as locals complain about 'sex party' noises He argued the reasoning for this was that the development would be harmful to the high recreational value and amenity of the area due to its industrial nature and was therefore contrary to local planning policies. Councilllor Stewart MacDonald (Labour, Kirkintilloch North & East & Twechar) disagreed with the convener, saying that negotiations about the proposals had seen significant mitigation measures and all concerns had been addressed and therefore the objection should be removed. This was tabled as an amendment, combined with requests from council leader Gordan Low (SNP, Bishopbriggs South) seeking additional information on the development. Although Councillor McNally agreed that some of the points of objection previously raised by the planning board had been addressed, the proposal itself was so detrimental to the area that he could not support removing the objection. Following further debate, the board voted through the amendment by ten to five, meaning the objection will be withdrawn.
Daily Record
29-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Plans for new battery energy storage system near East Kilbride substation given green light
A new battery energy storage system (BESS) has been given the green light in South Lanarkshire. The 50 megawatt/100MWh site, covering 5.5 acres. is the ninth BESS development that Renewable energy storage specialist Apatura has secured planning permission for in the last 16 months, bringing its portfolio to over 1.5GW. Apatura chose the location for its latest project due to its proximity to the East Kilbride substation. When completed, the project will connect to this substation and collect, store and discharge renewably generated energy onto the grid as and when it is needed. The proposed site is located half a mile outside East Kilbride on land 150 metres south-east of East Kilbride substation on Cairnmuir Road. It will consist of 16 battery container units plus associated infrastructure, including transformers and a substation building. The development will be screened from all directions with native planting and will be operational for a period of 40 years, after which time the land will be restored to its original condition. The decision notice granting planning permission concluded that "there would be no significant long-term impacts on the environmental quality of the green belt," and that the project would "make a contribution towards tackling climate change, mitigation and adaptation, and would be a positive response to the global climate emergency and nature crisis." The site was also recognised as delivering "a net economic gain and community benefits, including local employment and supply chain opportunities." Commenting on the decision, Andrew Philpott, Chief Development Officer at Apatura, said: 'Battery storage facilities like our planned development at East Kilbride underpin the ongoing expansion of the UK's renewable energy generation capability. "They make a significant contribution to enhancing UK grid security and grid stability and are integral to enabling our country to decarbonise its energy system and its economy and achieve its net zero targets.' A BESS is an advanced technology system designed to store electrical energy during periods of high generation and low demand, which can then be exported back into the grid network during periods of high demand. This latest approval follows the news that Apatura had secured planning permission for a 40-megawatt (MW) / 80MWh BESS in the village of Eaglesham - ten miles from East Kilbride. The site will deliver grid scale battery energy storage system to drive Scottish renewable energy ambitions. Mr Philpott added: 'Battery storage will also help to deliver stable energy prices, leading to reduced bills for households and businesses. It will contribute to greater energy security and independence for the UK in the future. 'Construction of the project will provide a significant boost to the local East Kilbride economy. It will directly create jobs with the construction, operational, and decommissioning phases of the project, and also indirectly in the supply chain and related services.'
The National
29-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Battery storage plant plans in South Lanarkshire approved
Planning consent for a new grid-scale 100MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) was granted to Apatura, who specialise in renewable energy storage, by South Lanarkshire Council on Monday. The proposed 5.5-acre site will be constructed half a mile outside East Kilbride and will be 150 metres south-east of the town's substation on Cairnmuir Road. When completed, the battery storage site will connect to the substation and collect, store and discharge renewably generated energy into the grid when the demand for it is needed. READ MORE: Scottish by-election candidates to face grilling on nuclear weapons The proposal consists of 16 battery container units along with the necessary infrastructure, including transformers and a substation building. Developers said the site will be screened from all directions with native trees and shrubbery and will be operational for a period of 40 years, after which the land will be restored to its 'original condition'. In the decision notice granting planning permission, the local authority concluded that 'there would be no significant long-term impacts on the environmental quality of the green belt'. The decision notice added that the project would 'make a contribution towards tackling climate change, mitigation and adaptation, and would be a positive response to the global climate emergency and nature crisis'. Andrew Philpott, chief development officer at Apatura, said the battery plant will help Scotland reach its Net Zero targets. He said, 'Battery storage facilities like our planned development at East Kilbride underpin the ongoing expansion of the UK's renewable energy generation capability. 'They make a significant contribution to enhancing UK grid security and grid stability and are integral to enabling our country to decarbonise its energy system and its economy and achieve its net zero targets.' Philpott added: 'Battery storage will also help to deliver stable energy prices, leading to reduced bills for households and businesses. It will contribute to greater energy security and independence for the UK in the future.' The South Lanarkshire site is the ninth BESS development which Apatura has secured planning permission for in the last 16 months. Philpott added the site will provide a boost to the local economy as it will provide jobs. He said: 'Construction of the project will provide a significant boost to the local East Kilbride economy. 'It will directly create jobs with the construction, operational, and decommissioning phases of the project, and also indirectly in the supply chain and related services.'
