Written Question · S6W-30862 · Session 6
What its response is to reported calls from community groups for a pause on processing planning applications for Battery Energy Storage Sys…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported calls from community groups for a pause on processing planning applications for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), in light of reports that there is currently 100GW of energy storage in the National Grid connection "queue" but the Electricity Systems Operator's Future Energy Scenarios highlighting a UK need for 20GW to 30GW of energy storage by 2035.
The answer
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) provides modelling of the projected amount of (short duration) battery storage that could be required in the GB system and Scotland. On 5 November NESO published advice to the UK Government on how to achieve Clean Power by 2030. At the same time, NESO also published consultations on the connections queue reform. We are currently considering this advice and modelling, which will inform our approach. We will also consider any measures proposed in the forthcoming UK Government Clean Power Action Plan.Scotland’s National Planning Framework 4 ensures that the impacts of proposals on communities and nature are important considerations in the decision-making process.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-30862 by reference.