RENEWABLE energy company RES has submitted a Section 36 application to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) for its 150MW Westport battery energy storage system (BESS) proposal, in East Ayrshire.
Situated near to the Coylton substation between Coalhall and Ochiltree, the Westport BESS is tipped to support the nation’s net zero goals and help to deliver a ‘reliable, resilient, decarbonised’ electricity system.
John Hills, development project manager for RES, said, “We have designed the Westport BESS to sit sensitively into the local landscape and have carefully assessed and mitigated any potential cumulative effects to ensure a responsible development. We recognise the importance of addressing concerns about potential development impact and a key focus of our discussions with the community has been on effective landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.
“Whilst the natural terrain and existing planting already help limit the visibility of this critical infrastructure, we have developed a comprehensive landscaping plan to further reduce visual impact while delivering significant ecological benefits. Presenting this plan at our second exhibition reinforced our confidence that our approach to landscaping and biodiversity has been well-received locally. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to participate in our public consultation events and provide valuable feedback, which has helped shape the final application.”
