Energy firms eye up two new areas in Ayrshire for renewable energy storage sites

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Two new areas of Ayrshire have been identified as potential sites for battery energy storage systems (BESS) for energy firms.Future Power Enterprises has earmarked an area of land around Gateside Farm, Old Toll, Ayr, for their facility and Lower 48 Energy BESS Ltd, has eyed up a facility on patch of land at Glenapp Estate, on Smyrton Hill, Ballantrae.Both firms have now submitted a request for a screening opinion from South Ayrshire Council in order to establish if they need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).Although both sites lie within the local authority boundary, South Ayrshire Council will not ultimately make the final decision.

That decision rests with the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.If approved, the proposed developments would allow electricity from the national grid to be stored in batteries at times of low demand and then “exported back” to the grid at times of high demand.According to documents, the Gateside Farm proposal would have an export capacity of 200 MW and a storage capacity of 600 MWh, on an agricultural field.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now on iOS and Android.The Glenapp proposals are also expected to have a capacity of around 200 megawatts.Agents in the Gateside Farm proposals are Envams Ltd, who revealed in supporting documents that their site is located 2.4 km east Ayr town centre, and east of the existing Ayr Substation.The