Impact of battery sites should be considered

The Scottish Government has said councils should consider the cumulative impact of having several battery energy storage systems (BESS) in one area.

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

There has been a recent explosion in the number of 49.9MW BESS applications being submitted to Perth and Kinross Council; anything 50MW or larger requires Scottish Ministers' approval.

But that has led to places - such as Coupar Angus and Abernethy - having multiple planning applications for 49.9 MW battery energy storage systems next to one another.

Last week Perth and Kinross Council's Planning and Placemaking Committee unanimously approved a 49.9MW BESS - on prime agricultural land at Abernethy because it was essential infrastructure. Planning permission for two other 49.9MW plants in the same area were granted just last year - and there are more in the pipeline.

Applications for electricity generating stations with a capacity greater than 50MW are determined by Scottish Ministers and processed by the Energy Consents Unit (ECU).