Battery storage bid for farm site
Project could have 40-year lifespan
Farmland near Plean has been earmarked for a battery storage project with an expected lifespan of 40 years.
Developer GPC 1211 Ltd has submitted an application to Stirling Council planners for the construction and operation of a 400mw battery energy storage system (BESS).
The application also includes a substation, security fencing, CCTV, security lighting, landscaping and new access at land at Glenside Farm.
The proposed development site comprises 11.2 hectares of land, located less than a kilometre southwest Old Plean.
The nearest residential properties are Glenside Farm and Gartincaber Farm, approximately 35 metres south and 95m southwest respectively.
In documents submitted with the application, agents for the applicants said: “The site is located in the open countryside and consists of agricultural land, with one field making up the majority of the land. Bore Row (lane) runs along the southern boundary, with dwellings located along the road, however there are no core paths within or adjacent to the site.”
The agents said most of the land affected was not considered prime agricultural land.
They added: “The proposed development would comprise a number of containerised units to house the BESS and associated ancillary infrastructure. Each container will have the appearance of a standard metal ISO/ shipping container.
“The containers would be supported by ancillary infrastructure, including invertors / transformers, substations and a control room. The aforementioned infrastructure would be located in a compound and would include cabling routes to enable infrastructure to be connected together.
“The compound would be of a simple, compact form and would be enclosed by circa perimeter fence, which will ensure the facility remains secure at all times. Infra-red (nonvisible), pole-mounted CCTV cameras (approximately 4.0 metres in height) would also be provided at appropriate intervals along the boundary fence. These would enable remote surveillance of the site.
“The proposed development would be temporary in nature for a period of 40 years, and following this, the development is to be decommissioned, and the land returned to its original state.”
The construction process is estimated to take around 18 months including construction of the new vehicle entrance and internal road, construction of foundations, trench lay and cables, fencing, landscaping and new planting.
The agents said: “Battery storage has a critical role to play in transitioning to a low-carbon grid, which is necessary to address climate change. The proposed development would therefore make a significant contribution towards reaching local and national government objectives to reduce carbon emissions by fulfilling a vital ‘balancing role’, helping to ensure that the grid remains stable at times of stress and enabling the further rollout of zero carbon energy production.”