Big Boost for Scotland’s Energy Storage: Apatura’s 48 MWh Project Approved

UK energy storage developer Apatura has received planning consent for a new 24MW / 48MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) on Parkhouse Road, near Barrhead, southwest of Glasgow. The latest approval is a step back in size from its last approved project, a 560 MW / 1.12 GWh BESS, but here the project site was chosen for its proximity to Crookston Substation, on the outer suburbs of Glasgow.

The UK and in particular, Scotland in the north, have massive wind generation resources but face significant curtailment costs, which has seen the region become a top location for big battery storage. Apatura has some 2.2 GW of BESS under construction, and just last week, Gresham House reached 1 GW of operational BESS in the UK. Batteries and similar technologies are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting Great Britain’s electricity grid through its renewables transition.

For Apatura’s latest project, the nine-acre site was said to be chosen due to its proximity to the Crookston Substation and will operate for a period of 40 years before being restored to its original condition. The development will consist of 12 battery units, four power conversion systems, and other associated infrastructure. Native planting will screen the site, which will also include a sustainable urban drainages basin.

A planning committee report from Glasgow City Council stated the project is “in accordance with the [2017 Glasgow City] Development Plan.” The report also noted that the “proposed development would contribute to the storage of excess electricity and would assist in the decarbonisation of the energy sector, allowing flexibility in the grid to respond to peaks and troughs in demand. In this regard, the development would be considered to provide a positive contribution in addressing the global climate crisis.”

Apatura’s Chief Development Officer Andrew Philpott said, “This latest project approval is another step in Apatura’s mission to deliver the infrastructure that the UK needs to decarbonize its energy supply and move to a renewables-based system.” Philpott added, “BESS is integral to Scotland and the entire UK’s transition to cheaper renewable energy, a low carbon economy, and a cleaner, healthier future for the country.”