Latest news with #EnergyConsentsUnit
Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Perth and Kinross Council decides not to object to 100MW energy plant
The application will be determined by the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit due to its size Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) has not objected to a proposed 100MW energy plant near Coupar Angus. The proposed electricity generation station at Kettins would be situated on 4.2 hectares of farmland currently used for crops. PKC's Planning and Placemaking Committee was asked on Wednesday June 11 to consider the application, submitted to the Scottish Government due to its size. In December 2024 Cogeo Planning and Environmental Services Ltd submitted a planning application to the Scottish Government, on behalf of Merseyside-based Balance Power Projects Ltd to build and operate the proposed electricity generating station. The application site, referred to as Hallyburton BESS, sits within the Hallyburton Estate, Kettins. Planning applications for battery energy storage systems which are 50MW or higher require approval from Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit consulted PKC on the proposed development on land 260m south east of Colbeggie Farm Cottage, Kettins. The footprint of the built area would be 1.3 hectares - just smaller than the combined size of two football pitches. The built site would include: 28 battery blocks - with each block containing four battery containers; 28 inverter and transformer units; two auxiliary transformers; two control room and welfare units; two private substations; two storage rooms and two district network operator (DNO) rooms. The development would also include access, lighting, security fencing, drainage and acoustic fencing. The site is currently being used for crops and sits within an agricultural rural landscape of Coupar Angus bounded by hedgerows and post and wire fencing. Last week, PKC's Planning and Placemaking Committee was asked to consider whether or not to object to the application. If PKC had objected, it would have triggered the requirement for a public inquiry to be held to consider the application. The committee's convener SNP councillor Ian Massie put forward a motion not to object to the application. It was seconded by Conservative councillor David Illingworth. Conservative councillor Ian James raised concern "it was too large" and "on a prime agricultural site". Cllr Bob Brawn agreed but the pair were unable to table an amendment -to oppose the application - which was deemed legally competent. National planning policy does allow for energy developments to be built on prime agricultural land. The report of handling - put before councillors - said: "...the global/local need for energy is outweighed by the small loss of land proposed for this development. Furthermore, the site has been designed so the land is minimally disturbed." And councillors were told there was nothing to show the plant was taking more land than required for 100MW. The committee agreed to uphold planners' recommendation not to object to the application.
The Courier
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Plans lodged with Scottish Government for 100,000-panel solar farm near Forfar
Detailed plans have been submitted to the Scottish Government for a 100,000-panel solar farm west of Forfar. The Cossans scheme would generate enough electricity to power 16,500 homes a year. Its developers also want to include up to 50MW of battery energy storage on the site near Glamis Castle. Proposals for the major development were first revealed last year. Perthshire-based BLC Energy has now lodged a Section 36 consent application with the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit. It is one of two solar and BESS farm applications the company is seeking approval for in Angus and Fife. The other is a similar-sized project at West Springfield, near Cupar. If consented, the Cossans scheme would connect to the grid at Lunanhead, east of Forfar. BLC says it will now continue consultation with local communities following public engagement events earlier this year. It is aiming for a grid connection within the next five years. BLC Energy managing director Neil Lindsay said: 'We've now submitted 200MW of projects into the Scottish planning system, with another 200MW planned before the end of the year. 'Our relationships with landowners, commitment to meaningful community consultation and expertise in the technology mean we have an excellent pipeline of projects. 'For the Cossans project, we are aiming for a pre-2030 connection.' Mr Lindsay said that will be decided through the ongoing UK grid reform process. It involves a shift from a 'first come, first served' approach to a 'first ready, first connected' system for grid connections. The aim is to prioritise projects strategically aligned with the government's clean energy goals. The company also revealed its hopes for how a £25,000-a-year community fund could be used over the 40-year lifetime of the project. Mr Lindsay added: 'We believe the communities around these sites should decide how the money is best spent. 'For some, that might be a trust that provides money towards winter fuel bills or retrofitting energy-saving measures in homes. 'For others, it might be funding apprenticeships or investing in community facilities.' Both projects are owned by TRIO Power Limited. TRIO Power is owned and funded by the Octopus Renewable Infrastructure Trust (ORIT), a fund managed by Octopus Energy Generation (OEGEN) and part of the Octopus Energy Group. The Cossans project website is at
The Courier
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
19-turbine Comrie windfarm plans lodged as nearby 'energy park' talks open
Plans for a 19-turbine windfarm near Comrie have gone to the Scottish Government for approval. The Glen Lednock turbines would stand 200 metres tall at their tips. The company behind them, Low Carbon, has lodged an application with the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit. The turbines are part of a larger 'rewilding' strategy being led by Invergeldie Estate owners Oxygen Conservation. It comes as developers prepare to consult locals on another major renewables project at Fowlis Wester, on the other side of Crieff. The plans for the Meallbrodden 'energy park' on the Abercairney Estate include eight 200-metre turbines, 60,000 solar panels and battery storage units. Low Carbon says it has 'actively engaged' with residents in St Fillans and Comrie since the Glen Lednock windfarm project went public in November 2023. Craig Cunningham, the company's senior project development manager, says the goal is to achieve 'carbon payback' in less than a year and a half, after which the turbines should begin to make a net positive contribution to reducing carbon emissions. 'The final design has been shaped by a significant amount of site survey work as well as extensive consultation with the local community,' he added. Low Carbon says it will put £5,000 for every megawatt of energy generated by the Glen Lednock turbines into a community benefit fund every year. This could add up to £589,000 a year to be spent on local projects. The full application, including an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and supporting documents, can be viewed here or on the Scottish Government's Energy Consents website. Consultation sessions for the Meallbrodden project will be held in Fowlis Wester Village Hall on June 18 from 4-8pm, and at Strathearn Community Campus, Crieff, on June 19 from 4-8pm. It is being spearheaded by Eurowind Energy Ltd. And due to its size, it will also be decided by the Scottish Government, rather than Perth and Kinross Council. The Danish company says its community benefit fund could provide up to £280,000 a year for local projects. But critics say the moorland site, which includes a loch, stone circles, standing stones, Roman remains, ancient forest and native species, is not suitable. And they have raised concerns about the cumulative impact of renewable energy projects across the area.
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.
