FAQs

Abbotshaugh Energy Storage is a potential Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with up to 500MW energy storage which would be built near New Deer, Aberdeenshire. It is designed to store excess renewable energy and release it when needed, supporting grid stability and Scotland’s renewable energy targets.

The Proposed Development will comprise:

• battery storage units;

• electrical substation and associated infrastructure;

• fire suppression systems / water storage tanks;

• site access and internal access tracks;

• fencing and CCTV;

• Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) pond;

• landscaping and biodiversity mitigation and enhancement;

• underground cable connection to Greens 400kV substation; and

• temporary construction compound.

The site is located approximately 5 km west of New Deer at Abbotshaugh, New Deer, Turriff, AB53 6YB. The site is currently used for agricultural grazing and forage crops and is accessible via local B roads.

The overall site area is approximately 26 hectares however the Proposed Development will only cover less than half of this area. This increased site area is to allow for flexibility in the final design which is influenced by ongoing assessment work, feedback from consultation and establishment of landscape mitigation and biodiversity enhancement.

Scotland is committed to increasing its renewable energy capacity. BESS facilities like this one help store renewable energy (such as from wind and solar) when generation exceeds demand and releases it when needed. This helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and provides grid stability as more intermittent renewable energy is used.

This project benefits from a grid connection to SSEN’s proposed Greens 400kV substation in close proximity to the site, to which it will connect. The proximity of the substation means that less infrastructure will be required to make the connection, lessening the potential for environmental impacts whilst increasing system efficiency.

Early environmental studies have indicated that the site has good potential to accommodate BESS infrastructure. It is not subject to any statutory nature, landscape or heritage designations and is situated over 4km away from the nearest settlement of New Deer.

The project will have a storage capacity of 500MW or 2,000MWh, making it a significant contributor to energy storage in the region. This capacity allows it to play a critical role in balancing supply and demand within the national grid.

The project is expected to bring several benefits to the local area, including:

Security of supply
This project represents a key component of the renewable energy transition. It will help tackle climate change and will contribute to an enhanced security of supply in the UK.

Job creation
During the construction phase and long-term operational roles.

Supply chain opportunities
Local businesses may benefit from contracts related to construction, transport, and services.

Community benefits
We are committed to providing direct funding from the project to support the local communities. These benefits will be defined in consultation with the community, based on what is most needed locally.

Biodiversity enhancements
There will be significant enhancements to biodiversity at this site resulting from the landscape and biodiversity proposals.

Construction is anticipated to begin once the necessary consents are obtained, which could take approximately 9-12 months from submission of the Section 36 application, subject to ECU resourcing and consenting timescales. Construction of the development is expected to be completed within approximately 18-24 months, with a connection date in 2033.

During the construction period there will be equipment deliveries to the site. The project team will conduct traffic assessments to minimise disruption to the local road networks during construction. There will be consultations with the local community to inform them of road usage, closures (if required), and transportation routes for construction equipment. Measures will be put in place to ensure minimal impact on daily traffic (for example, by restricting the hours that deliveries can be made). These measures will be detailed in a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) which will be included as part of the future application.

The project will be subject to rigorous environmental assessments to minimise its impact. These assessments will cover areas such as noise, visual impacts, archaeology and cultural heritage, hydrology, and potential effects on biodiversity. The site has no significant landscape, heritage or ecological designations. Significant landscape and biodiversity enhancement will form part of the final design.

Detailed noise and visual impact assessments will be conducted. The project will be designed to blend into the landscape, whilst also maintaining separation distances from the nearest residential properties. The project will include measures to mitigate any potential noise during operation and visual impacts from the facility. The site benefits from existing hedgerows and trees around its edges and additional screening through landscape planting will be used to reduce visual disturbance for nearby residents.

No, soil surveys were undertaken at the site in September 2024 which confirm that the land is Grade 3.2 (which is not prime agricultural land). The land principally has weakly indurated freely-draining coarse loamy to sandy soils and soil limitation (droughtiness) is the principal limitation to agriculture. The project includes provisions to restore the land once operations have ceased after a 40 year period.

The Abbotshaugh Energy Storage project supports Scotland’s ambitious target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. By storing renewable energy and providing grid flexibility, the project is a key component of the national strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increase the use of clean energy. The project will also support the electricity grid capacity, whilst the required extensive expansion of grid to accommodate much needed renewables development is ongoing.

The project will seek consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, which covers large energy infrastructure projects. This involves environmental impact assessments, consultations with local authorities and communities, and the preparation of detailed project documentation for submission.

Residents will have opportunities to engage with the project team through public consultations and stakeholder meetings. Information will also be made available online, and a consultation report will be prepared as part of the consenting process.

Following submission of the application for consent an opportunity to make submissions for or against the proposals to the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) will be triggered.

Battery Energy Storage Systems are subject to strict safety regulations, including fire prevention and emergency response protocols.

A Battery Safety Management Plan will be developed and submitted as part of the planning application to ensure that the highest safety standards are met.

Furthermore, the BESS will include the following safety features:

• The BESS units will have built-in monitoring to detect any unusual activity and shut down automatically if needed. The system includes both remote and on-site emergency stop mechanisms, automated cooling, and a specialised fire suppression system for Lithium-Ion batteries.

• Active Ventilation: To prevent the buildup of explosive gases, ventilation systems will activate if any gases are detected.

• This will be located on-site to deal with any fires, and any contaminated water will be safely contained in a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) and treated before being released.

The BESS will comply with best practice fire safety standards and advice from the fire service.

Some disruption during construction is inevitable, particularly with road access and noise. However, the project team will work to minimise these impacts by implementing construction time restrictions, traffic management plans, and community engagement to keep residents informed.

You can stay updated through this website, which will regularly post updates and news about the project. Additionally, local media outlets and newsletters will provide key information. Public meetings and consultations will also be held to ensure continuous communication with the community.

This FAQ outline can be expanded and adapted based on feedback from stakeholders and emerging issues during the planning process.