Apatura has received planning consent to develop a 560MW/1120MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) near Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, further expanding its portfolio of grid-scale energy storage in central Scotland.
The approval, granted by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit, brings Apatura’s total permitted capacity in the region to more than 2.1 gigawatts. The project, known as Whitehall, is the developer’s eleventh site to receive consent within the past two years.
Located on a 29-hectare site near Cochno Road, the facility will connect to nearby substations at Windyhill and Drumchapel. Once operational, the battery system will store and discharge renewable electricity, helping to balance supply and demand on the grid.
“The Whitehall project is in a carefully chosen strategic location that will directly support the UK’s energy security strategy,” said Andrew Philpott, Apatura’s chief development officer. “Once commissioned, it will play a key role in providing the resilient infrastructure network needed for a net zero future.”
He added that large-scale battery projects are “integral to the UK’s goals of cutting emissions and boosting energy independence and security,” and are expected to contribute to energy price stability for both households and businesses.
Scottish ministers described the development as “essential infrastructure,” citing its role in adding “flexibility and resilience necessary to maintain secure and reliable supplies of energy” during the transition to a low-carbon system.
The Clydebank approval follows recent planning consents for a 100MW/200MWh battery project in Kilwinning and a 50MW/100MWh installation in East Kilbride earlier this year. Apatura has said it remains committed to “opening up access to affordable clean energy for Scotland and the entire UK.
