Project Overview
BayWa r.e. is proposing to develop a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of up to 500 MW on land approximately 3km south-east of Douglas in South Lanarkshire. The proposed BESS would support the transmission network and help propel Scotland’s energy transition to a sustainable and resilient future.
Site Location
The proposed site is located to the west of the M74 corridor, approximately 3km south east of Douglas in South Lanarkshire. The land is owned by Douglas and Angus Estate and is primarily used for sheep grazing.
With the planned Scottish Power Transmission (SPT) Redshaw Substation just south of the site boundary, this location is ideal for a straightforward connection of the BESS to the National Grid.
Indicative Site Layout
Community Benefit
We are committed to supporting communities which host our developments. In many cases this support takes the form of an annual community fund contribution which can provide a valuable, long term, sustainable,and reliable source of income for communities.We are currently proposing to contribute £50,000 a year into a Community Benefit Fund which could be used to address what is important to communities.There is also significant potential for this private sector funding to be used to lever additional match funding making it worth even more to the community. We welcome any ideas as to how our Redshaw BESS fund could be designed and used for the benefit of the community.
Local Business Opportunities
For local business with the right skills and services, the Redshaw BESS project offers exciting opportunities during both construction and operation. If you’re interested in working with us, email infostorage(at)baywa-re.co.uk to join our Local Suppliers Database.
What is a BESS?
A battery energy storage system (BESS) is a technology which stores excess energy for later use - a larger version of the batteries we are more familiar with.
Often the amount of electricity we generate, and the amount we need, do not match. For example, on a windy day, wind turbines may generate more power than we need but, using BESS, the excess power charges the batteries, and the power can then be fed into to the grid at a time when less power is available.
Historically, when the energy generated by renewables has not been enough to meet demand, we have had to rely on traditional power sources such as gas to “top up” the energy supply. However, BESS can help reduce our reliance on non-renewable energy and keep the grid stable by adjusting supply and demand.
Next Steps
The project would have a capacity of over 50MW and as such will be decided by Scottish Minsters in consultation with South Lanarkshire Council and other statutory consultees. An application will be submitted at the beginning of 2025.
As a responsible developer, BayWa r,e, would like to hear from the local community to ensure the project delivers real benefits to the surrounding area.
