The site is located on the Limekiln Estate, just south of Reay, Caithness in the Highlands of Scotland. The site is part of the operational Limekiln Wind Farm and is located on what was one of the construction compounds within the site. It is anticipated that the BESS compound area will be approximately 1.5 hectares, and the Substation extension will be approximately 0.5 hectares.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a vital role in ensuring a stable, reliable, and sustainable energy system. They store excess electricity when demand is low and release it back into the grid when needed. In turn this reduces our reliance on fossil fuels and so supports our country’s transition to clean energy.
Key Features of the Proposed Development
- Site Area: approximately 22 hectares of a combination of commercial forestry and wind farm infrastructure.
- Proposed BESS location: The Proposed Development will be located on the reinstated temporary construction compound which was utilised for the construction of Limekiln Wind Farm.
- Substation location and connection point: An extension to Limekiln Wind Farm’s substation, the Proposed Development’s intended point of connection, is situated approximately 700 metres to the northwest of the proposed BESS location.
- Underground cable connection: The Proposed Development includes an underground cable connection from the BESS location to the Substation extension.
Why this location?
- The Proposed Development will be well screened by surrounding forestry so will have minimal landscape and visual impact.
- Minimal disturbance to undisturbed ground by using the reinstated temporary compound area and permanent onsite tracks for Limekiln Wind Farm.
- The proposed location of the temporary construction compound was not identified as a priority habitat for the Wind Farm application so minimal environmental impact is predicted.
- The proposed location of the temporary construction compound has not yet been replanted with trees as part of the forestry plan for the Wind Farm.
Consultation
We visited Reay for two rounds of in-person community open days and the feedback from those events is captured in the pre-application consultation report.
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 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.