Ministers are set to review plans for a £130 million battery storage park outside Bathgate – which will store renewable energy and release it back to the grid when needed.
The 200 megawatt facility – spanning three hectares – will provide extra resilience for electricity networks during periods of high demand.
Local councillors in West Lothian approved the plans from the leading UK renewable energy firm, OnPath Energy, to build the Pond Flexible Energy Park.
Now the green light for construction will depend on the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit who will make the final decision on granting consent.
Michael Newton, sustainability developer at OnPath Energy, said: “As Scotland moves towards its ambitious net zero targets, this battery storage facility will provide much-needed flexibility in how we manage renewable energy.
“Battery storage solutions like Pond have a massive role to play in reaching net zero targets and will become an increasingly vital part of our energy infrastructure as we move away from traditional energy sources like coal and gas.
“The new facility will store surplus energy generated from wind and solar farms when production exceeds demand, and release it during peak consumption periods, helping to stabilise the energy grid and improve the UK’s energy security.”
According to estimates the battery storage facility will meet the peak electricity demands of around 240,000 homes for two hours – or the average demands of around 600,000 households for the same period.
In December of 2023, OnPath Energy submitted a planning application to West Lothian Council for the site which is set to be based at Pond Industrial Estate on Whitburn Road to the south east of Bathgate.
The development marks a significant step forward for OnPath Energy and its mission to maximise the social, economic, and environmental benefits of renewable energy for local communities.
In addition to environmental benefits, the project is estimated to support around 80 jobs during the construction period, with an estimated £1.6 million in annual wages. In addition, Pond will pay around £950,000 in annual business rates which will support vital local services such as schools, hospitals and other public resources.
Billy Weir the chair of Bathgate Community Council, said: “We believe this project represents a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future, not just for Bathgate, but for Scotland as a whole.
“The ability to store renewable energy and make it available when it’s needed most is essential to meeting our country’s ambitious net zero targets.”
The company has also secured planning permissions for 14 wind farms, with three already operational across Scotland and another three set to start construction in the next two years.
