Boralex is pleased to announce that an application for a 70MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the next phase of development at its Limekiln Wind Farm site, has been submitted to the Scottish Government and The Highland Council for consideration.
BESS in the north of Scotland is ideally placed to absorb excess renewables generation. With more BESS in constrained areas the burden on the National Electricity Systems Operator is eased, using energy that would previously have been wasted and reducing the need for fossil fuels to manage over and undercapacity in the system. As well as helping balance the network, the BESS will reduce the need for constraint payments, helping lessen the load on consumer bills.
Esbjörn Wilmar, Country Director of Boralex in the United Kingdom said: “With Limekiln Wind Farm now operational and producing renewable energy, this is a great next step in helping manage the grid network which currently is under resourced. Having a BESS on site will help us use more of the energy we generate at Limekiln, store the energy at times we can’t export it and use it at a later stage when there is less wind or more demand.”
The Limekiln BESS application will be considered by The Highland Council’s North Planning Applications Committee as a statutory consultee, before being determined by the Scottish Government under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. The Council is one of several statutory consultees, whose views will be taken into account as part of the Scottish Government’s decision-making process.
During the construction period, access to the Limekiln core path will be maintained. A temporary diversion will be required during the installation of the underground cable which will reroute the path from the Substation Extension area, through the wind farm, and reconnect at the BESS compound. The Highland Council has been consulted on this matter and does not foresee any significant impacts to the core path or users.
A copy of the application including plans showing the lands, together with a copy of the documentation discussing the proposals in more detail and presenting analysis of the environmental implications, are available for public inspection in person, free of charge at: Thurso Library, Davidsons Lane, Thurso, KW14 7AF between the hours of Mon and Wed 10.00-18.00, Tues and Fri 10.00-20.00 Thur and Sat 10.00-13.00. The application documents can also be viewed on this website here.
Any representations to the application may be submitted to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit mailbox at [email protected] or by post to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation.
Written or emailed representations should be dated, clearly stating the name (in block capitals), and full postal address of those making representations. Emailed representations should also include the full return email address of those making representations. Only representations sent by email to [email protected] will receive acknowledgement.
All representations should be received no later than 10th September 2025 although Ministers may consider representations received after this date.
For any other queries, email [email protected]