Scottish ministers have approved a 200MW/400MWh 2-hour duration battery energy storage system (BESS) to be developed by OnPath Energy.
In October, the plans put forward by OnPath – formerly Banks Renewables – were unanimously approved by the West Lothian Council’s executive committee. Ministers at the Scottish government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) approved the proposals on 24 March.
The consented development comprises 74 containerised battery storage units and a substation building, alongside other associated infrastructure. The 2.4 hectares that the site will cover will also include wildflower, shrubbery and tree planting areas.
One objection was initially lodged with the ECU by Scottish Gas Networks, which advised that a high pressure gas transmission pipeline, classed as a major accident hazard pipeline, runs close to the site. The objection was removed once OnPath provided a technical note. The consented application includes assurance that risk to the pipeline is mitigated.
No objections were raised by the public. OnPath Energy has previously said it hopes the BESS, dubbed the Pond Flexible Energy Park, will be operational by 2031.
The large-scale BESS, to be constructed in Bathgate, Scotland, represents a £130 million investment from OnPath and is expected to create approximately 80 jobs during construction.
The approval comes a week after ministers approved a 456MW BESS by Gresham House subsidiary Gresham House Devco Pipeline Ltd, for which the local council lodged no objections.
