Apatura secures planning consent for new 100MW battery storage system in eastern Scotland

Renewable energy storage specialist Apatura has secured planning permission to build and operate a new 100 megawatt (MW) capacity Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Tealing near the city of Dundee on Scotland’s east coast. The Tealing site is the fifth battery storage project that Apatura has received planning consent for in the last 12 months as it pursues its goal to deliver grid-scale battery storage that suppor ts renewable energy generation in Scotland.

Commenting on the news, Andrew Philpott, Chief Development Officer at Apatura, said, “At 100MW capacity, our new development at Tealing will be one of the largest battery energy storage schemes operating in the UK.

“When operational, the new facility will make a significant contribution to enhancing UK energy grid security and grid stability. It will play a key role in supporting the UK’s transition to renewable energy and a low carbon economy as part of its net zero commitments.

The 2.5 hectare site is located in open countryside 6.7km north of Dundee and 1.8km south-west of the village of Tealing in the county of Angus. The proposed new facility will consist of 52 lithium-ion batteries securely housed in steel containers and will be directly connected by an underground grid cable to the nearby Tealing substation. To minimise disruption to the local environment, the development will include new native species tree and wildflower planting to deliver a biodiversity net gain at the site.

Philpott continued, “The proximity of the existing Tealing substation makes the site an ideal location for energy storage. Importantly, the proposed development will provide a significant boost to the local economy by creating jobs during the construction, operational and eventual decommissioning phases of the facility, as well as indirect job creation in the supply chain, maintenance and other related services.”

Scottish Ministers approved the scheme and local authority Angus Council lodged no objections to the proposed development. In the letter raising no objections to the scheme, Angus Council noted that “The development would contribute towards meeting government energy targets and generally complies with the relevant policies of the Angus Local Development Plan and National Planning Framework 4 [for the development and use of land].”

Philpott explained, “With its abundant renewable energy resources and viable grid connections, Scotland is poised to play a leading role in providing the clean, affordable renewable energy that will power the UK’s net zero future.

“Battery storage schemes like the project planned for Tealing are an essential part of the infrastructure needed for the UK to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, which will help to deliver stable energy prices and reduce bills for households. The UK’s transition to renewables will also contribute to increased national energy security and independence from imported energy. Apatura’s mission is to turn the UK’s renewable energy goals into reality.”