Renewable energy developer Apatura has received planning consent for a new grid scale 24 MW/48 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) on Parkhouse Road, near the town of Barrhead, 13 km southwest of Glasgow. The project represents the 12th BESS development that Apatura has secured approval for in the last two years.

Project Specifications and Infrastructure

The Parkhouse Road BESS will consist of 12 battery units, four power conversion system (PCS) units and other associated infrastructure. The development will occupy a nine-acre site that will be screened from all directions with native planting and will include a sustainable urban drainages (SuDs) basin.

The facility is designed to operate for a period of 40 years, after which time the land will be restored to its original condition. The site was chosen because of its proximity to Crookston Substation. When completed, the facility will connect, collect, store, and discharge renewably generated energy from the substation to the grid when required.

Planning Approval and Policy Compliance

The planning applications committee report from Glasgow City Council confirmed that the proposed site complies with planning policy and is in "accordance with the [2017 Glasgow City] Development Plan" regarding planning applications and land use.

The report stated 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."

Company Leadership Perspective

Apatura's Chief Development Officer, Andrew Philpott, commented on the approval: "This latest project approval is another step in Apatura's mission to deliver the infrastructure that the UK needs to decarbonise its energy supply and move to a renewables-based system."

Philpott explained the importance of battery storage technology: "Battery storage is essential for maintaining an energy grid's stability and resilience.It's also integral for achieving more stable energy prices and cheaper household bills, and for meeting the UK's net-zero targets to tackle the climate crisis."

He continued: "Projects like our planned development at Barrhead also benefit the local community in terms of creating new jobs for the construction, operational, and decommissioning phases of the project, and in the supply chain and related services as well." 

Philpott concluded: "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."