Supporting over 150 BESS Projects Across the UK.
From early-stage site appraisal through to planning and detailed design support, our team has contributed to a significant number of BESS projects nationwide.
Consent for the 500MW Battery Energy Storage Development
Island Green Power secured planning consent for the proposed 500MW Abbotshaugh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near New Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
The project represents another important step in the continued expansion of battery energy storage infrastructure across the UK. As renewable energy generation increases, large-scale BESS developments are playing a vital role in supporting grid stability, balancing electricity supply and demand, and improving the resilience of the national electricity network.
As part of our ongoing work in the Onshore Renewables & Storage sector, Gondolin Land & Water was pleased to support the development through the planning process by providing a range of environmental and engineering services, including a Flood Risk & Drainage Assessment (FRDA), Firewater Management Plan (FWMP), Earthworks Design and Private Water Supply Assessment.
Supporting the Development Process
Battery Energy Storage System developments often require input from multiple technical disciplines. Gondolin Land & Water able able to offer a vast range of environmental and engineering services which support renewable energy developers through planning and design.
For the Abbotshaugh BESS project, Gondolin's Flood Risk & Drainage Assessment evaluated potential flood risk impacts and established an appropriate drainage strategy for the proposed development. Effective surface water management is a key requirement for large-scale infrastructure projects and helps reduce potential impacts on surrounding land and watercourses.
Alongside the FRDA, our team prepared a Firewater Management Plan to assess and manage the potential environmental risks associated with firewater runoff. The strategy considered how water used during a fire event would be contained and controlled to protect nearby watercourses and the wider water environment.
Gondolin Land & Waters proposed drainage design for the Abbotshaugh BESS Project.
Protecting Local Water Supplies
As part of our scope of works, our team also undertook a Private Water Supply Assessment.
This involved reviewing local private water supply records and visiting nearby properties to identify any existing private water supplies that could potentially be affected by the development. Following assessment, appropriate mitigation measures were identified, helping to ensure the project would not adversely impact local water users.
Private water supply assessments are often an important component of renewable energy and infrastructure developments in rural areas, where private sources can provide water to homes, farms and businesses.
The Growing Importance of Battery Energy Storage
The Abbotshaugh BESS is one of over 150 Battery Energy Storage System developments across the UK that Gondolin has supported across the UK. As the UK's renewable energy capacity continues to expand, energy storage projects will play an increasingly important role in enabling a more flexible electricity network.
By storing electricity when generation exceeds demand and releasing it when required, BESS facilities help maximise the use of renewable energy while supporting grid reliability and energy security.
We are proud to have contributed to the planning and development of numerous BESS projects throughout the UK and Ireland, providing flood risk, drainage, water environment and environmental assessment services to support the successful delivery of critical energy infrastructure.
