A planning application for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) by Galileo Empower in West Lothian has been granted unanimously by the Council’s Development Management Committee.

The project is the renewable energy company’s first consent in Scotland. The site for the proposed battery storage facility, with a capacity of 49.9MW, is located at Middlerigg Farm.

Situated between Bathgate and Armadale, it is located on land adjacent to the A801, northwest of Bathgate Substation.

BESS is an advanced technology which supports the transition away from polluting fossil fuels to clean, green, renewable electricity, the generation of which is intermittent in nature.

This facility will store surplus electricity in rechargeable batteries when demand is low and release it back into the electricity grid when demand is high, helping to balance the network and maximise the use of renewable energy in addressing climate change and the drive toward net zero.
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By delivering greater energy security and reducing reliance on volatile, imported fossil fuels, this will further benefit consumers by facilitating the supply of homegrown, more affordable, and low-carbon electricity.

Galileo Empower is committed to ensuring that local people benefit from the positive economic and social value that this project can bring. It is envisioned that a community benefit fund will focus on two key priorities: health/physical activity, as well as training/education.

The company is also committed to ensuring that, wherever reasonably possible, local suppliers and contractors are used in all aspects of the construction and operation of the battery storage facility.

Laura Petrie, project manager, said: “We are delighted to have received unanimous consent for a battery storage facility at Middlerigg, our first consent in Scotland, which followed extensive engagement with local communities

Infrastructure such as this has a vital part to play as we move away from polluting fossil fuels to clean, green, renewable energy, playing a critical role in tackling climate change and supporting Scotland to achieve its net-zero target.”

She added: “We are confident that this project will bring considerable economic and environmental benefits to West Lothian. In addition to a community benefit fund, the development will also deliver considerable investment, creating jobs and boosting the skills of our current and future workforce.

We look forward to continuing to engage with the Council and local communities as we progress the consented project.”

Galileo Empower is a fast-growing pan-European renewable energy developer, owner and operator, with a mission to significantly contribute to achieving global emission reduction targets.

We aim to achieve this by developing a sufficient number of smart, efficient, high-quality, and integrated green energy projects, enabling renewable energy to become the primary source of electricity for all energy consumers in Europe.

Founded in 2020, Galileo Empower currently has a project development portfolio of over 13 gigawatts (GW) across multiple European countries, including the UK, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Poland.

We are developing several projects in Scotland, in addition to Glenskinnan, including Corr Chnoc in Argyll and Bute, Craighead in Perth and Kinross, Crosbie in North Ayrshire, and Dorenell Extension in Moray.

Our senior management team comprises leading energy and investment experts with extensive international experience spanning over 30 markets.

Galileo Empower’s funders are long-term infrastructure and pension funds with a global footprint, an international mindset and a collaborative mentality.