Councillors approve Loch Luichart battery energy storage system (BESS) application
Plans for two controversial battery energy storage facilities to be built in different parts of Ross-shire came before councillors this week.
Sparking concerns variously about visual impact and noise as well as fire risk, councillors approved an application for a facility at Loch Luichart west of Garve.
Members of Highland Council’s north planning applications committee heard on Tuesday how Lochluichart Battery Storage Limited is looking to build up to 56 steel battery storage cabinets with a generating capacity of less than 50MW and associated infrastructure in the strath formed by the River Grudie, within the Lochluichart Estate.
It will store energy generated by nearby wind farm developments and release it to the hydroelectric Grudie Bridge Power Station as needed.
The application site comprises approximately 7.7ha of commercial plantation and is accessed from a private access track that connects to the A832.
Councillors were told that only one objection had been lodged to the proposals, from SSE Renewables.
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It said the applicant had not served notice on it as a landowner of part of an area within the application boundary, though this was in fact done later.
Garve and District Community Council had confirmed that it does not object to the proposals.
In summing up their reasons for recommending councillors approve the proposal planners told them: “The proposed development has the potential to play a role in addressing supply and demand peaks and troughs within the electricity transmission network by virtue of storing excess energy produced by generating stations, including from renewable sources.
“In that way, the proposal is considered to contribute to national climate change and carbon net-zero targets.”
And they added: “It is considered that the proposed development is acceptable and will not be significantly detrimental overall.
“Although industrial in appearance, the proposal would be well sited away from the public road and residential properties and well screened from other locations.
“As such, landscape and visual impacts are well within acceptable limits.”
It also pointed out that measures to restore and enhance peatland and native woodland habitats as part of approval would also provide “appropriate biodiversity net gain” for the area.
At the same meeting councillors also noted the submission of a proposal of application notice (PAN) by Field Fyrish Ltd for a battery energy storage system complex, with a maximum installed capacity of up to 200MW, it hopes to construct west of Alness.
A PAN is usually the stage before a full planning application is lodged, allowing councillors to point out areas of concern or make any comments that developers may choose to address if and when a full application is lodged.
Councillors made no comment at this week’s meeting, simply noting that the PAN had been lodged.
