Battery energy storage park near Scottish town approved

The Herald Scotland

12 hours ago

Apatura has received planning consent to build a new "grid-scale" 560 megawatt battery energy storage system near Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire.
Apatura has now secured permission to build a combined total of more than 2.1 gigawatts in electricity storage capacity at sites across central Scotland with the latest news.
The planned development is located on land adjacent to Cochno Road, two miles from Clydebank and eight miles from the city of Glasgow, which had been the focus of protest by community members who raised concerns over safety and the site's placing.
The new site will connect via an underground cable to the Windyhill substation 560 metres away and also the Drumchapel substation two miles away.
Andrew Philpott, chief development Officer at Apatura, said: 'The Whitehall project is in a carefully chosen strategic location that will directly support the UK's energy security strategy. Once commissioned, it will play a key role in providing the resilient infrastructure network needed for a net zero future.'
Mr Philpott added: 'Battery storage plays a major role in Scotland and the wider UK's transition to a low carbon energy system and economy. Projects like Whitehall will directly contribute to stabilising energy prices and reducing bills for households and businesses, and are also integral to the UK's goals of cutting emissions and boosting energy independence and security.
'Apatura is committed to opening up access to affordable clean energy for Scotland and the entire UK. Our BESS projects are an essential part of the wider nationwide effort to upgrade and future-proof the country's energy infrastructure to meet our expanding energy needs in a sustainable way.'
In the decision letter granting consent, Scottish ministers said they 'regard the proposed development as essential infrastructure. Through the provision of energy storage, it adds flexibility and resilience necessary to maintain secure and reliable supplies of energy to all our homes and businesses as our energy transition takes place.'
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