Apatura has received planning approval for a new 400MW capacity battery energy storage system (BESS) located near Stirling in central Scotland. The Denny site, covering 11.2 hectares, marks the seventh battery storage project that Apatura has gained planning consent for over the past year, expanding its total consented pipeline to 1.4GW.
Andrew Philpott, Chief Development Officer at Apatura, expressed satisfaction with the approval, stating, “We are delighted that Ministers have supported this critically important scheme and the local council – Stirling – lodged no objections. Our focus on Scotland is central to our vision to harness its renewable energy potential. These latest approvals reinforce Scotland's strategic advantage in delivering resilient energy infrastructure.”
The planned BESS project is part of Apatura's broader strategy to contribute to the UK's energy security. The site will include a battery electricity storage facility and related infrastructure, as well as initiatives to improve local biodiversity, including planting native species trees. The project was approved by the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit on February 25, 2025.
Philpott further emphasized the strategic importance of such projects: “By securing strategic locations and grid connections, we are directly contributing to the UK's energy security strategy, ensuring a stable and sustainable power supply. This is also a central goal of the NESO Beyond 2023 report which highlighted the vital role of BESS in Scotland.”
The development is expected to provide both direct and indirect employment opportunities, supporting local communities during the construction, operational, and decommissioning phases. In addition, the project will generate a Community Benefit Fund to support regional initiatives.
Apatura has worked closely with the Energy Consents Unit and Stirling Council to bring the Denny BESS project to fruition, which is expected to improve grid resilience while contributing to the broader goals of Scotland's renewable energy strategy.
