Latest news with #EnergyConsentsUnit
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
The National
30-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Scottish ministers approve plan for wind farm and battery storage site
Plans for the Knockkippen wind farm, outside the village of Patna in East Ayrshire, were approved by the SNP Government's Energy Consents Unit on Wednesday. Ministers took the decision in place of local authority East Ayrshire Council because the application was for an electricity generation site with a capacity above 50MW. The wind farm will include 12 turbines on Knockkippen hill and Knockkippen moss, each with a maximum height of 180 metres. The approved plans also include a solar array, battery storage, and ancillary infrastructure. The finished wind farm will have a maximum capacity of 96MW, according to the Energy Consents Unit. READ MORE: 'Hell of a commute': Labour pick London councillor to contest Highlands seat On the Knockkippen wind farm website, it states: 'Naturalis Energy Developments Ltd has developed proposals for a wind farm with the potential for solar and battery storage on site, on the southern edge of the North Kyle forest between Patna and Rankinston. 'The proposed site for Knockkippen wind farm, overlooks several former opencast mines. 'Between 1849 and 1965 there were around 52 ironstone and coal mines in the Patna area and mining was the mainstay of the local economy but subsequent pit closures have adversely impacted on local employment and economy. 'This renewable energy project will help the local – and Scottish economy – to meet its zero carbon target by 2045, generating clean, green energy from nature.' The news comes as a group of nature charities called for SNP ministers to refuse consent for a wind farm at Berwick Bank, warning that it could be 'catastrophic' for Scotland's seabirds. Berwick Bank is a much larger proposal and would have up to 307 turbines located in the outer Firth of Forth, around 40km off the Scottish coast near seabird sites like Bass Rock, St Abb's Head and the Isle of May – which is home to puffins. RSPB Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Scottish Seabird Centre have united to call for the development to be refused and have written to Scotland's First Minister John Swinney. Berwick Bank has been awaiting a decision for two years after SSE Renewables submitted a planning application to the Scottish Government in late 2022.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Solar farm scheme will be 'well contained'
Councillors in the Borders have agreed not to object to a large solar park being proposed for the Lammermuir Hills in Berwickshire. Fred Olsen Renewables has applied to the government's Energy Consents Unit for permission to put up about 55,000 panels near the Crystal Rig wind farm - about four miles (6km) from the village of Cranshaws. Scottish Borders Council (SBC) planning committee agreed not to oppose the scheme in the Lammermuir Hills Special Landscape Area. Berwickshire councillor Donald Moffat said he felt the proposals would be quite well screened from general public view. More stories from South Scotland Listen to news for the Scottish Borders on BBC Sounds "Where these solar panels are being proposed for - unless you are actually going up to drive through the area you won't see anything," he said. "It is something that is going to be well contained within the plateau. "I didn't see any reason to go against this and actually all our officers were all quite happy about this." SBC is being consulted on the project but due to the scale of the development the final say will lie with the Scottish government. Light concerns over wind farm plans
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Crystal Rig solar farm scheme will be 'well contained'
Councillors in the Borders have agreed not to object to a large solar park being proposed for the Lammermuir Hills in Olsen Renewables has applied to the government's Energy Consents Unit for permission to put up about 55,000 panels near the Crystal Rig wind farm - about four miles (6km) from the village of Borders Council (SBC) planning committee agreed not to oppose the scheme in the Lammermuir Hills Special Landscape councillor Donald Moffat said he felt the proposals would be quite well screened from general public view. "Where these solar panels are being proposed for - unless you are actually going up to drive through the area you won't see anything," he said."It is something that is going to be well contained within the plateau."I didn't see any reason to go against this and actually all our officers were all quite happy about this."SBC is being consulted on the project but due to the scale of the development the final say will lie with the Scottish government.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Battery storage project gets the green light
The Scottish government has approved plans for a major battery storage plant in the south of Scotland. The complex on a grassland site near Gretna Green will house almost 400 units - similar in size and design to shipping containers. It is one of a growing number of such projects which it is claimed will help to support the transition to Net Zero and boost the UK's energy security. Permission for the plant was secured by the applicant - Energy Hub Developments. Its application was approved by the Scottish government's Energy Consents Unit. More stories from South Scotland Listen to news from Dumfries and Galloway on BBC Sounds The battery storage plant will be connected to a neighbouring sub station and be secured with perimeter fencing and CCTV cameras. The site will have the capacity to store 456MW of power - enough to deliver a day's energy to thousands of homes in Dumfries and Galloway. Battery storage systems stockpile power produced by renewable sources such as wind and solar, and release it when required to meet demand. When consulted Dumfries and Galloway Council raised no objection to the project. Third battery storage plan approved near village
