Dolphingstone Farm BESS Application Documents (Energy Consents Unit Reference: ECU00004969): To view the documents associated with this planning application, please click here.

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Welcome

Thank you for taking the time to visit our consultation website. We are excited about our plans and are delighted to share more information with you.

The consultation is now closed. 

RNA Energy is currently preparing a planning application for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility at Dolphingstone Farm.

The public consultation on the proposals ran from Saturday 12th August 2023 until Saturday 26th August 2023. 

About RNA Energy

RNA Energy is developing and building a portfolio of energy storage and solar facilities to power the UK with cheap, clean, and reliable energy.

The RNA Energy Team is highly experienced and passionate about building infrastructure that is needed for a net zero future.

RNA Energy is looking to deliver a number of BESS facilities in the UK. These facilities enable energy to be stored and delivered back to the grid when it is most needed. This helps when renewable facilities, like solar, are not operating at their peak.

As an experienced developer, we specialise in finding viable and cost-effective grid connection points and engaging with landowners to deliver sustainable infrastructure.

Why Battery Storage?

Why are Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) developments needed?

BESS is comprised of rechargeable batteries that covert electrochemical energy to electrical energy, and vice versa, as required.

The Scottish Government’s commitment to ‘Net Zero’ emissions by 2045 requires more sustainable energy production, such as solar and wind development, which combined with the closing old, large-scale coal and nuclear power stations, has put pressure on electricity distribution.

Renewable energy cannot always consistently produce electricty at all hours of the day. This is called intermittency. Using BESS smooths out the intermittency, taking the pressure off of the network’s essential equipment.

The installation of BESS developments supports Scotland’s transition from fossil fuels to greener, renewable and more reliable power generation.

Storing electricity locally allows for focused management of the network, benefitting local residents and businesses:

  • Provision of locally produced power during times of stress reduces the risk of power outages to the immediate locality and results in savings in usage charges which may be reflected in customers‘ bills.
  • Having a storage facility embedded in the local network means the area is less likely to experience power shortages and blackouts. These can be caused by the loss of inertia created by the increased input from renewable generation on the network.
  • BESS facilities reduce demand on the national network as a whole, which in turn makes the local network less volatile.
  • Storage and discharge of power near to the point of use reduces power line transmission losses that are experienced when power is generated centrally. This helps to reduce CO2 emissions.

The Site

RNA Energy is preparing a planning application for a BESS facility on land located off Johnnie Cope’s Road, Tranent EH21 8GL, to be known as Dolphingstone Farm BESS.

The Site has been identified following an extensive site selection process which considers environmental designations, local electricity network access and capacity, the physical characteristics of the site and the need for a supportive landowner.

The plans are still in the development stages, so our design proposals will evolve as local input is gathered and technical considerations are investigated further.

Once operational, Dolphingstone BESS would make a valuable contribution towards tackling the climate emergency in East Lothian, and wider area, by providing balancing services to maintain a cleaner, greener and cheaper energy supply.

The project will be capable of storing 63MW of electricity to supply to the national grid in times of need, providing enough back up energy for around 13,300 homes.

Access to the Site for construction would be via Johnnie Cope’s Road, from the south.

Our plans will also include landscape planting and improvements to biodiversity which will assist in screening the development and encouraging additional wildlife to the Site.

The Proposals

Click here to download a high quality version of the masterplan

Here is a summary of what our plans include:

  • 0.6 hectares (ha), with 40 lithium-ion battery containers;
  • Client control room;
  • District Network Operator (DNO) control room;
  • Outdoor rated switchgear;
  • Auxiliary transformer;
  • Security fencing;
  • CCTV;
  • Landscape buffer.

Construction and Operation

Construction is anticipated to take 8-12 months and would involve the formation of a series of concrete plant bases, service trenches, an access road, fencing, CCTV and gates.

The only vehicles required to attend the Site when the facility is operational would be those associated with security and maintenance. This is anticipated to be no greater than 1 LGV per month.

Virtual Exhibition

Considerations

In advance of submitting a planning application for consent to build and operate a BESS, consultants are undertaking a range of assessments.

Landscape and Visual Impact

  • The Site does not sit within any locally or nationally designated landscape.
  • The closest residential properties are c. 200m to the north and c. 260m to the south. There are also wider views into the Site given the surrounding topography. There are Public Paths, including along Brickworks Road to the north.
  • A full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) will be submitted as part of the planning application. The LVIA will advise on appropriate planting and mitigation to be provided by natural screening.

Heritage

  • There are a number of heritage assets in proximity, including Bankton House to the north.
  • The Site and large parts of Tranent, Prestonpans and Cockenzie fall within the boundary of the Battlefield of Prestonpans.
  • A Heritage Assessment is being carried out to determine if there are any impacts on the setting of heritage assets.

Ecology

  • The Site is comprised of agricultural fields and it is not designated for its biodiversity value.
  • The planning application will be supported by a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal along with management and mitigation strategies to support biodiversity improvements.

Noise

  • Baseline noise levels will be gathered at the nearest sensitive noise receptor.
  • Anticipated noise levels from the BESS will then be modelled to determine if mitigation is required.
  • An Environmental Noise Impact Assessment will accompany the application.

Construction Access and Routing

  • Site access and routeing will be thoroughly assessed.
  • Access is proposed from the A199 and Johnnie Cope’s Road.
  • Vehicles will enter and exit the Site to and from the north to the strategic highway.
  • An overarching Construction Traffic Management Plan will accompany the planning application.

Flood Risk and Drainage

  • The Site is not within an area of flood risk.
  • The site layout has been designed to ensure that surface water does not given rise to flood risk off site. The Site soils are sufficiently permeable to allow water to soakaway.
  • A Flood Risk and Drainage Strategy will be submitted as part of the planning application.

Your Community, Our Contributions

We will make a positive contribution to the local community by:

  • Minimising power outages and ‘keeping your lights on’.
  • Building and running a best-in-class BESS facility; helping to provide security of supply for the local and wider region’s consumers.
  • Choosing a small-scale site that minimises visual impacts and land use.

We hope that this information is helpful in setting out our proposal for a BESS at Dolphingstone Farm.

We are committed to delivering a high-quality development with landscaping and opportunities for biodiversity.

Have Your Say

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback on the plans. The consultation is now closed. 

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