RES Secures Approval for a 49.9 MW Battery Project in Scotland

British Renewable Energy Developer RES Secures Approval for a Major Battery Energy Storage System in Scotland RES, a UK-based renewable energy developer, has received permission to construct a large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Scotland. This marks a significant milestone in the UK’s efforts to reduce emissions.

Dunmill Power Plant

On Tuesday, August 12, 2024, Angus Council approved the construction of a 49.9 MW BESS project. This is the latest addition to RES’s growing portfolio, which includes approximately 700 MW of ongoing projects in the UK and Ireland.

The Dunmill BESS facility will be located about 5 kilometers west of Montrose. Its presence will enhance grid flexibility by balancing supply and demand. Once operational, the system will store electricity during peak production periods and release it when demand exceeds supply. The construction is expected to take about 12 months, involving local contractors and workers.

SSE Renewables’ Investment in Scotland

Just days before RES’s announcement, SSE Renewables revealed plans for the Fearna Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) power plant. SSE Renewables currently owns Scotland’s largest fleet of hydro and pumped storage plants.

The new infrastructure is planned approximately 25 kilometers from Invergarry, adjacent to Loch Quoich. With a planned generation capacity of up to 1.8 GW, the Fearna PSH facility will produce 37 GWh of green energy. Commercial operations are anticipated to begin by the mid-2030s.

This initiative aligns with the UK government’s strategy to expand long-term electricity storage solutions. Carl Crompton, Managing Director of Gilkes Energy Limited, emphasized:
“Energy storage enables the capture of surplus energy production (mainly from wind) and its release during renewable energy deficits. Pumped storage hydro plants are essentially large water batteries, with a proven, robust technology capable of lasting over 100 years without efficiency degradation.”

Sources
World Energy Organization
SSE Renewables