Battery storage project gets the green light

The Scottish government has approved plans for a major battery storage plant in the south of Scotland.

The complex on a grassland site near Gretna Green will house almost 400 units - similar in size and design to shipping containers.

It is one of a growing number of such projects which it is claimed will help to support the transition to Net Zero and boost the UK's energy security.

Permission for the plant was secured by the applicant - Energy Hub Developments. Its application was approved by the Scottish government's Energy Consents Unit.

The battery storage plant will be connected to a neighbouring sub station and be secured with perimeter fencing and CCTV cameras.

The site will have the capacity to store 456MW of power - enough to deliver a day's energy to thousands of homes in Dumfries and Galloway.

Battery storage systems stockpile power produced by renewable sources such as wind and solar, and release it when required to meet demand.

When consulted Dumfries and Galloway Council raised no objection to the project.