Latest news with #BESS
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
West Lothian battery energy storage site wins approval despite fire concerns
The Development Management Committee agreed to back the facility in the interests of reducing long term carbon emissions. Councillors have backed plans for a battery energy storage site (BESS) in open countryside a few minutes drive from Bathgate and Armadale town centres despite concerns over the fire risks. The Development Management Committee agreed to back the facility in the interests of reducing long term carbon emissions. But councillors accepted recommendations that the operational lifespan of the site should last only 30 years rather than the 50 year lifespan which would have seen the facility operating until 2075. In a written objection Colin Frame of Bathgate questioned whether the fire suppression systems outlined in plans would be enough. He said: 'Owing to the prevailing south westerly wind, toxic smoke and fumes from a fire at the site would quickly end up over the nearby housing on the west side of Bathgate, not to mention Windyknowe Primary School to the south, putting residents' health at risk. 'The 2020 fire at a Merseyside BESS site took over 50 hours extinguish. This type of fire is clearly extremely dangerous and difficult for the Fire and Rescue Services to deal with. Should the wind be coming from the east, traffic using the A801 would be immediately affected and Armadale residents also at risk.' Planning officers said the rural location of the ' relatively small site' was acceptable. The land is north-west of Middlerigg Farm in between Bathgate and Armadale, just off the A801. The site is around eight acres and will store up to 49.9MW. Planners added: 'The proposal includes the installation of battery energy storage containers, inverter panels (2.0m in height) with transformer and air handling unit panels (both 2.5m in height), a district/customer substation, control room, water tank, security lighting with cctv and a SUDs basin, as well as two swales for surface water drainage.' More than 100 trees, described as mainly roadside shrubbery, will be taken down but the developers promised to plant 200 trees around the site to provide additional screening. In papers to the DMC planners said: 'The land is not, however, classed as prime agricultural land albeit it is countryside belt. Given the site's topography, the application site will not be highly visible from main vantage points.' Councillors accepted that the applicants Galileo 10 Ltd had submitted a Fire Safety Plan. Councillor Tony Boyle said: 'Looking at the objection I am satisfied that Scottish Fire and Rescue has said that it conforms to all standards. Chairing the meeting, Harry Cartmill a Bathgate councillor, said: 'None of us is going to be here in 40 years time but nevertheless we need to get this right, if we are to determine this positively.' Wendy McCorriston the Development Management Manager told the meeting: 'I realise our condition suggests 50 years and our applicant has mentioned 40 years. The most recent battery storage site we have approved has been for 30 years. Given the potential changes in technology 50 years would not be appropriate.' She outlined that facilities such as wind turbines had initially been given 20 year lifespans and some have been extended while photo-voltaic sites 'solar farms' have been granted 30 year lifespans. Laura Petrie, for the firm, said the 30 year lifespan would be acceptable. Councillor Damian Doran-Timson had raised questions about replacing the storage cabinets on the site. When told that equipment would need to be replaced in 10 to 15 years head asked: 'What would be the likely impact of equipment replacement within 10 to 15 years be. Would the access be sufficient?" Colin Laverty, an agent for the developers said: 'Yes it would.' Mrs McCorriston told the meeting: 'It is a balance and i think in terms of planning policy this is a site that is not readily visible but a distance from main residential areas is acceptable and in terms of the land take it is relatively small.' Bathgate Councillor Pauline Stafford, who had asked for the application to be discussed by DMC was not at the meeting but fellow town representative Willie Boyle attended remotely. He told the meeting: 'My concern about this site is simply that what we are granting is a commercial site on agricultural land. I understand the locational need. I don't have a great issue with it,but because it is a commercial site the screening is important and I welcome the assurances and I look forward to seeing a copy of the final planting plan, but I am reassured from what I have heard. 'Demand changes and we have to change with it. Other than that I'm quite happy to support what's been put forward.'
Edinburgh Reporter
6 hours ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Councillors back battery storage site plans despite fire objection
Councillors have backed plans for a battery energy storage site (BESS) in open countryside a few minutes' drive from Bathgate and Armadale town centres despite concerns over the fire risks. The Development Management Committee agreed to back the facility in the interests of reducing long term carbon emissions. But councillors accepted recommendations that the operational lifespan of the site should last only 30 years rather than the 50-year lifespan which would have seen the facility operating until 2075. In a written objection Colin Frame of Bathgate questioned whether the fire suppression systems outlined in plans would be enough. He said: 'Owing to the prevailing south westerly wind, toxic smoke and fumes from a fire at the site would quickly end up over the nearby housing on the west side of Bathgate, not to mention Windyknowe Primary School to the south, putting residents' health at risk. 'The 2020 fire at a Merseyside BESS site took over 50 hours extinguish. This type of fire is clearly extremely dangerous and difficult for the Fire and Rescue Services to deal with. Should the wind be coming from the east, traffic using the A801 would be immediately affected and Armadale residents also at risk.' Planning officers said the rural location of the 'relatively small site' was acceptable. The land is north-west of Middlerigg Farm in between Bathgate and Armadale, just off the A801. The site is around eight acres and will store up to 49.9MW. Planners added: 'The proposal includes the installation of battery energy storage containers, inverter panels (2.0m in height) with transformer and air handling unit panels (both 2.5m in height), a district/customer substation, control room, water tank, security lighting with cctv and a SUDs basin, as well as two swales for surface water drainage.' More than 100 trees, described as mainly roadside shrubbery, will be taken down but the developers promised to plant 200 trees around the site to provide additional screening. In papers to the DMC planners said: 'The land is not, however, classed as prime agricultural land albeit it is countryside belt. Given the site's topography, the application site will not be highly visible from main vantage points.' Councillors accepted that the applicants Galileo 10 Ltd had submitted a Fire Safety Plan. Councillor Tony Boyle said: 'Looking at the objection I am satisfied that Scottish Fire and Rescue has said that it conforms to all standards. Chairing the meeting, Harry Cartmill a Bathgate councillor, said: 'None of us is going to be here in 40 years' time but nevertheless we need to get this right, if we are to determine this positively.' Wendy McCorriston the Development Management Manager told the meeting: 'I realise our condition suggests 50 years and our applicant has mentioned 40 years. The most recent battery storage site we have approved has been for 30 years. Given the potential changes in technology 50 years would not be appropriate.' She outlined that facilities such as wind turbines had initially been given 20-year lifespans, and some have been extended while photo-voltaic sites 'solar farms' have been granted 30-year lifespans. Laura Petrie, for the firm, said the 30-year lifespan would be acceptable. Councillor Damian Doran- Timson had raised questions about replacing the storage cabinets on the site. When told that equipment would need to be replaced in 10 to 15 years head asked: 'What would be the likely impact of equipment replacement within 10 to 15 years be. Would the access be sufficient' Colin Laverty, an agent for the developers said: 'Yes it would.' Mrs McCorriston told the meeting: 'It is a balance and i think in terms of planning policy this is a site that is not readily visible but a distance from main residential areas is acceptable and in terms of the land take it is relatively small.' Bathgate Councillor Pauline Stafford, who had asked for the application to be discussed by DMC was not at the meeting, but fellow town representative Willie Boyle attended remotely. He told the meeting: 'My concern about this site is simply that what we are granting is a commercial site on agricultural land. I understand the locational need. I don't have a great issue with it, but because it is a commercial site the screening is important and I welcome the assurances and I look forward to seeing a copy of the final planting plan, but I am reassured from what I have heard. 'Demand changes and we have to change with it. Other than that, I'm quite happy to support what's been put forward.' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Mint
17 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Madhuri Madhusudan Kela trims stake in multibagger stock Waaree Energies in the June quarter
Ace investor Madhuri Madhusudan Kela, wife of prominent investor Madhusudhan Kela has pared down her holding in solar module maker Waaree Energies to below 1 percent, signaling a quiet exit after backing the company even before its IPO. While her name featured among key shareholders with a 2.07 percent stake at the end of March 2025, she is now absent from the latest shareholding disclosures, indicating her stake has fallen below the reporting threshold. Kela's exit comes at a time when the multibagger stock Waaree Energies is actively diversifying its business model to reduce earnings concentration. The company is transitioning into a fully integrated New Energy player, making strides into green hydrogen, electrolyser production, inverters, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). According to Nuvama, these strategic initiatives provide Waaree a strong foundation for sustained long-term growth, improved margins, and a massive multi-decade growth opportunity. The brokerage has a 'buy' rating on the stock with a target price of `3,622. However, opinions remain divided. Kotak Institutional Equities has maintained a 'sell' rating, despite acknowledging strong revenue prospects. The firm expects growth to be driven by improved utilization of Waaree's solar module manufacturing facilities and scaling up of its 5.4 GW solar cell plant. Margin gains are likely from economies of scale, favourable customer mix, and the higher-margin cell segment. Kotak has set a lower target price of `2,620. Waaree Energies has recently seen robust international traction. In June 2025, it secured a fresh 599 MW solar module order in the U.S., adding to an earlier 586 MW deal. With these additions, total order inflows for Q1FY26 crossed 1,200 MW. The orders were booked through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Waaree Solar Americas Inc. The company stated, 'Waaree Solar Americas Inc secures 599 MW order in the US, surpassing 1,200 MW+ in new deals for FY25-26 Q1, underscoring resilience and growing momentum in the American market.' The company posted stellar results for Q4FY25. Net profit more than doubled to ₹ 648.49 crore, supported by stronger sales and operational efficiencies. Revenue for the quarter rose 37.69 percent YoY to ₹ 4,140.92 crore. For the full fiscal year, Waaree Energies reported a net profit of ₹ 1,932.15 crore, up 107.08 percent YoY, while annual revenue reached ₹ 14,846.06 crore, a 27.62 percent rise from FY24. Waaree Energies' stock has given multibagger returns, surging122 percent from its IPO price of ₹ 1,503 set in November 2024. Year-to-date in 2025, the stock has gained 10 percent, registering positive returns in five out of the first seven months. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
ME Construction
18 hours ago
- Business
- ME Construction
AMEA Power commissions Egypt's first utility-scale BESS
Sustainability AMEA Power commissions Egypt's first utility-scale BESS By The company's first utility-scale storage project in North Africa is said to reinforce the company's capabilities in delivering large-scale, integrated renewable energy and storage solutions AMEA Power has announced the successful commissioning of Egypt's first utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This 300MWh facility, fully powered by solar PV energy, was delivered ahead of its scheduled commercial operation date (COD). The milestone follows the project's recent financial close, marking a significant step forward in AMEA Power's strategy to enhance energy security and grid stability in emerging markets. 'We are proud to bring this landmark battery storage project online, strengthening the resilience of Egypt's electricity grid while supporting the country's renewable energy ambitions,' said Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of AMEA Power. 'This commissioning milestone reaffirms our long-term commitment to Egypt as a key partner in driving innovation and sustainability across Africa.' AMEA Power's first utility-scale storage project in North Africa is said to reinforce the company's capabilities in delivering large-scale, integrated renewable energy and storage solutions. The project's financing by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) underscores the strong partnerships in advancing energy projects in Africa. The battery storage facility is an extension of AMEA Power's operational 500MW Solar PV Plant in Aswan Governorate, Egypt, which was commissioned in December 2024. This integrated solar-plus-storage development aligns with Egypt's 2035 Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy, and reflects AMEA Power's ongoing commitment to accelerating clean energy innovation and sustainability across the continent.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
GSSG Chikuden Launches with US$400M Commitment from Vision Ridge Partners
New Utility-Scale Battery Storage Developer Established as Joint Venture Partnership Between GSSG Solar and Vision Ridge GSSG Chikuden Seeks to Accelerate the Japanese Energy Transition Through Development, Construction and Operation of Utility-Scale Battery Storage TOKYO, July 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GSSG Chikuden, LLC ("GSSG Chikuden" or the "Company"), a utility-scale battery storage developer dedicated to accelerating the Japanese energy transition, today announced the launch of its business with a US$400 million commitment from Vision Ridge Partners ("Vision Ridge"), a global sustainable real assets investor. GSSG Chikuden will use the investment to support its development, construction and operation of utility-scale battery energy storage systems ("BESS") across Japan's power grid. GSSG Chikuden was established as a joint venture partnership between Vision Ridge and GSSG Solar, LLC ("GSSG Solar"), building upon their longstanding relationship and shared vision for advancing the global transition to sustainability. The GSSG Solar management team, which has committed capital to GSSG Chikuden alongside Vision Ridge, will operate the Company, seeking to leverage its extensive boots on-the-ground experience, broad network, and history of energy project development across Japan's power markets. GSSG Chikuden launches with an existing pipeline of development projects with secured grid interconnection rights and will look to opportunistically acquire projects to expand its reach. "As demand for clean power continues to rise, we are proud to launch GSSG Chikuden with the goal of supporting the urgent need for reliable, grid-scale energy storage infrastructure across the Japanese power market," said Tomakin Archambault, Managing Partner and CEO of GSSG Solar. "We believe the commitment by Vision Ridge, a recognized investor with a history of backing BESS, helps validate our mission, strategy and team. We look forward to deploying GSSG Chikuden's regional expertise and technology to execute on the robust pipeline of development opportunities we see." Vision Ridge invested in GSSG Solar in 2014 and has since supported the company in its expansion and execution of solar energy project development opportunities across Japan. GSSG Chikuden will seek to benefit from Vision Ridge's familiarity with its leadership team as well as the firm's experience investing in and growing battery storage platforms. In 2018, Vision Ridge invested in Key Capture Energy, LLC, and supported the company in its evolution into a developer, owner and operator of energy storage projects within the United States until its sale to SK E&S Co., Ltd., a Seoul-based global clean energy solutions provider in 2021. "We are pleased to expand our decade-long relationship with GSSG Solar with the launch of GSSG Chikuden," said Reuben Munger, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Vision Ridge. "We think battery storage assets form a crucial part of the emerging sustainable energy economy globally, and are confident that GSSG Chikuden's management team, project development experience, and regional relationships will enable it to deliver much-needed energy storage assets to the grid in Japan." About GSSG ChikudenFounded in 2025 as a joint venture between Vision Ridge Partners and GSSG Solar, LLC, GSSG Chikuden focuses on acquiring, developing and operating utility-scale battery energy storage systems ("BESS") across Japan's power grid. About GSSG SolarGSSG Solar, LLC is an Asia-focused solar + storage investment firm founded in 2013 with offices in Denver (headquarters), Tokyo & Taipei. Since inception, GSSG Solar has invested in over 500MW of solar projects primarily located in Japan with a portion in Taiwan and the US. For more information visit: About Vision Ridge PartnersBy seeking to deliver superior investment returns, Vision Ridge mobilizes capital to address humanity's greatest challenge: climate change. The Vision Ridge team seeks to leverage its diverse, complementary skillsets, deep industry experience, and strong network of relationships to execute investments across sustainable real assets, with a focus on energy, transportation, and agriculture. Vision Ridge manages approximately $4.9 billion on behalf of institutional investors globally, as of March 31, 2025. For more information visit: View source version on Contacts MediaAmanda Shpiner/Iain HughesGasthalter & Co.(212) 257-4170vision-ridge@ 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
