Highview is progressing plans for the development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility at Hunterston PARC in North Ayrshire.

The Section 36 planning application is for a BESS facility and associated works at Hunterston PARC, which forms part of Highview’s wider energy storage proposals for the site which includes a “Stability Island” and liquid air energy storage facility.

The site at Hunterston PARC is designated as a Strategic Development Area in the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 and forms a key part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

Project Background

Highview is a solutions-led energy infrastructure business that develops technologies to help power grids around the world transition to net zero. As the UK moves towards a cleaner electricity system, the need for flexible energy storage has grown significantly.

A Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS, stores electricity in batteries and releases it back to the grid when needed. When electricity generation is higher than demand, the BESS charges. When demand increases, renewable output falls, or the grid needs support, the BESS can discharge electricity rapidly.

Highview’s proposed Hunterston BESS would provide fast-response, flexible storage for the electricity system. It is expected to store power for up to around six hours and could provide up to 500MW of stored energy output on a standalone basis.

The BESS forms Phase Three of Highview’s Hunterston project. Phase One, the Stability Island and underground cable connection to Hunterston East substation, has already been consented by North Ayrshire Council. Phase Two is the proposed Liquid Air Energy Storage facility, which was the subject of a public consultation earlier this year. Phase Three, the BESS, is now being brought forward through a separate consent application.

The BESS and LAES facilities are separate and can operate independently. However, Highview intends to operate them in a complementary way at Hunterston, with the BESS providing rapid response and flexibility, and the LAES providing longer-duration energy storage.

Public Consultation Event

Highview is holding a public consultation event to share information and plans for the proposed Hunterston BESS facility. The event provides an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions and speak directly with the project team.

Information will include:

• The proposed Battery Energy Storage System and how it works
• How the BESS fits with Highview’s wider Hunterston proposals
• The relationship between the BESS, LAES facility and Stability Island
• The Section 36 consenting process
• Environmental assessment work, including the voluntary Environmental Impact Assessment
• Health, safety and emergency response measures
• Potential traffic, noise, visual and biodiversity considerations
• Community and economic benefits
• Project timeline and next steps
• Opportunity to provide feedback on the proposals

The public exhibition boards from the event will be available to view and can be printed here.

We invite you to give feedback on our proposals via our public questionnaire, which is available to access here. Feedback is invited until 14 July 2026. Following this date, Highview will review the feedback and consider whether any changes should be made before finalising the application.

Please note that comments made to the project team during this consultation are not formal representations. Should an application be submitted, there will be a further opportunity to make representations directly to Scottish Ministers through the Energy Consents Unit.

Environmental Assessment

Highview has decided to undertake a voluntary Environmental Impact Assessment for the BESS.

The proposed BESS is located on previously developed brownfield land within an established energy and industrial landscape. The Environmental Impact Assessment will consider the potential effects of the BESS and will also assess cumulative effects with the wider Hunterston proposals, including the LAES facility.

Topics expected to be considered include biodiversity, noise, traffic and transport, visual impacts, flood risk, water management and ground conditions. The assessment will also consider the nearby Southannan Sands Site of Special Scientific Interest and identify any measures needed to protect it from harm.

Health and Safety

Safety will be a key priority in the design, construction and operation of the BESS.

The system will include multiple layers of protection, including continuous monitoring of battery temperature, voltage and other operating conditions. It will also include early smoke and gas detection, automatic shutdown and isolation systems, and fire detection and suppression equipment within battery units.

An Emergency Response Plan will be developed in consultation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service before the facility becomes operational. The plan will set out clear procedures to protect staff, emergency responders, the wider site and the surrounding community.

Further Information

You can view documentation for Section 36 applications on the Energy Consents Unit website here.

If you have any questions about the project, please contact the project team at hunterston@highviewpower.com or visit www.highviewpower.com/hunterstonbess.