Developed by Blackford Renewables Ltd
Early planning
Complete
Public consultation phase
Complete
Planning application submitted
Complete
Construction
Q1 2028
Operations
Q4 2029
Developed by Blackford Renewables Ltd, Blackford Energy Park BESS will be a 500-megawatt project. The grid connection has been accelerated by NESO (National Energy System Operator) to 2029, and this will help enable more renewable energy generation to be connected to the Grid for CP30 (Clean Power 2030).
The project has been developed in accordance with local and national guidelines to cause minimal impact to the local area.
Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are becoming increasingly important, but they can be intermittent. This means that they do not always produce electricity when it is needed. Energy storage systems like BESS can help to balance supply and demand, ensuring that there is always enough electricity available. The UK is one of the world leaders in wind power generation and therefore a significant investment in supporting infrastructure is required. This is especially prevalent in Scotland where there is a lot of wind generation and transmission around the UK.
Fire water run-off
Fires involving BESS are extremely rare due to extensive risk reduction measures.
In the unlikely event of a battery fire requiring suppression, fire water run-off
would be contained by on-site drainage channels and collected in a detention pond.
This collected water would then be manually removed by a regulated waste management company.
BESS and Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) gas
The safety of the local community is a top priority, and we want to provide clear information
regarding the safety measures in place at the proposed site. We are committed to ensuring the
highest level of safety through advanced technology, rigorous safety certification, site design
and close collaboration with emergency services for the emergency response plan.
HF gas is a chemical that can be produced in the unlikely event of a battery fire. The amount of HF
gas release is highly variable and depends on many factors, including the battery chemistry and specific
conditions of the fire and how it is treated.
Advanced battery management systems are designed to prevent fires from ever starting. A fire event is
extremely rare. Our BESS is designed with multiple layers of safety to prevent a fire from starting,
contain it if it does, and protect the community.
In the event of a fire, the gas would be diluted by the atmosphere, and the separation between battery
units would stop the fire spreading between containers.
While a battery fire is an extremely rare occurrence, our comprehensive safety measures are in place to
address such an event. Our goal is to prevent any safety risk to the public and the environment. We are
confident that the combination of our advanced technology and our partnership with local emergency services
will provide a robust safety framework for the community.
Site area
The total project area is 37 acres or 16.1 hectares, equivalent to 21 football pitches. Within this would
be the battery park, substation equipment, solar panels, access tracks, landscaping and planted areas.
The approximate breakdown, as detailed in the Biodiversity Gain Assessment, is:
Vehicle movements
As with any other infrastructure project, there will be vehicle deliveries to and from site. A construction traffic
management plan was developed to investigate and mitigate any impacts. The assessment has shown the local road
network will be able to accommodate the expected traffic and that routes through Rothienorman village will not be
allowed. During the site's operation there is expected to be minimal disruption.
Largest operational BESS sites
The largest operational BESS in Scotland is the Zenobē Blackhillock site,
with an initial capacity of 200MW and plans to expand to a total of 300MW.
There are several projects currently under construction over 300MW in the UK including Thorpe Marsh (1400MW),
Monk Fryston (320MW), Coalburn (500MW), and Devilla (500MW).
Lifespan
The project will be seeking consent for up-to 40 years, the installation will not be permanent. The expected
arrangement is the owner will be responsible for reinstating the site to its current condition, and there will
be a bond with the bank and council to ensure there is the financial capital to complete the reinstatement.
Reported BESS oversupply
A nationwide initiative, known as the connections reform, is being spearheaded by the National Energy System
Operator (NESO) and the government. Its purpose is to regulate the construction of BESS by limiting new and
existing grid connections, ensuring BESS facilities are only developed where and in the quantities they are
genuinely needed. This means that even projects with existing planning permission may not proceed if their
services are no longer required.
Impact on the electricity market
The site uses power connected to the grid in Scotland, where there is a high proportion of renewable generated electricity.
The concern that BESS pushes up energy prices is generally based on a misunderstanding of market dynamics. While it's
true that BESS operators make a profit from the price difference between charging and discharging, this arbitrage activity
doesn't create the price spread; it responds to it. The price spread is caused by the underlying supply and demand dynamics
of the grid. By adding a large new source of demand during low-price periods (charging) and a large new source of supply during
high-price periods (discharging), BESS actually works to reduce the size of the price spread.
In essence, the more BESS sites that are connected to the grid, the more effectively they will compete with each other,
which will further reduce the difference between peak and off-peak prices.
BESS also generate revenue from several other sources by providing services to the grid including a capacity market contract.
In conclusion, the overall impact of BESS is overwhelmingly positive for energy price stability and affordability.
By enabling the greater use of cheap, clean renewable energy and reducing the need for expensive fossil-fuel-based power during
peak demand, BESS helps to create a more efficient and cost-effective energy system for everyone.
Our public consultation process has now concluded. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend our events and provide feedback.
Proximity to the substation
The site is adjacent to the electricity substation which is an ideal location for electrical
infrastructure which supports the grid.
Noise
A noise study has been undertaken which shows that the combination of equipment selected and
site location will have negligible impact on local residents.
The assessment checked for any cumulative impact from other nearby energy developments and
infrastructure.
Visual impact
The site has been designed and landscaped to provide negligible impact to those who live
around or are travelling through the area.
The site will only be visible from a few view points and mostly obscured by trees and
planting.
Private Water Supplies
A Private Water Supply assessment is currently being undertaken. If you have received a
survey in the post, please respond so we can take appropriate action.
Fire Safety
Fire risk has been considered from the earliest stages of development and will
continue to be a key focus for risk mitigation.
The site will comply with the National Fire Chiefs Council guidance and the local
fire service will be consulted for their comments throughout the design,
construction and operational phases.
Heritage and Archaeology
A baseline assessment has been undertaken, and further trenching works will be
required to assess the entire site area.
Previous trenching works in the field have found no evidence of archaeological
discovery.
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with us, please contact us using the details below:
Send us an email at info@blackfordenergypark.com
Give us a call on +44 1242 500254