German renewables developer Ib Vogt has submitted a planning application for a solar and battery energy storage project in southern Scotland, as part of efforts to support the country’s net-zero targets.
The company filed a Section 36 consent application with the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit for the proposed Stirches Renewable Energy Park, which would be located near Hawick, in the Scottish Borders.
The proposed development includes a 30-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic farm alongside a 30MW battery energy storage system (BESS). It would also include a substation and associated infrastructure. According to Ib Vogt, the BESS is designed to stabilise the electricity grid by storing excess energy and releasing it when demand rises, thereby aiding the transition to a low-carbon energy system.
Chris Peachey, lead planner at Ib Vogt UK, said the company had consulted extensively with stakeholders before submitting the plan.
“Following extensive community consultation, rigorous impact assessments and surveys, and meaningful engagement with our landowner partners, we are pleased to have submitted the Stirches Renewable Energy Park proposal to the Scottish Government’s ECU,” he said.
Construction could begin in 2027, subject to approval, with grid connection expected the same year. According to Ib Vogt, the solar farm would generate enough electricity annually to power approximately 8,600 average UK homes.
The project is part of Scotland’s wider strategy to meet its goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. It also aligns with the Scottish Government’s solar energy ambitions, the company said.
Environmental measures, including habitat creation and tree planting, are included in the plan. In addition, Ib Vogt has pledged to provide a voluntary community benefit fund of £12,000 annually over the 40-year operational life of the project. The fund is intended to support local initiatives, such as community facility upgrades, solar panel installations for nearby homes, and environmental projects.
This is a voluntary fund offered to the local community in recognition of its role in hosting the development and contributing to Scotland’s targets,” Peachey added. “The community will decide how this money is best allocated, and we will be driven by their interests and needs on this.
The Stirches Renewable Energy Park is the latest in a series of renewable energy proposals aiming to expand the UK’s solar and storage infrastructure.
