Nairn battery energy storage site objection dropped by high-pressure gas main engineers SGN; developer OPDEnergy wants to build the 49.9MW site at Grigorhill, under plans lodged with Highland Council

Gas main engineers have dropped objections to a plan for a 50MW battery energy storage facility on the outskirts of Nairn.

SGN had issued a holding objection to plans by applicant OPDEnergy for the 49.9MW battery storage site on land 330 metres to the east of Grigorhill Cottage, Grigorhill.

This was because a high pressure gas pipeline passes through the land and, although no building work is planned for the surface above it, its proximity on the boundary of the planned battery energy storage enclosure was close enough to prompt SGN’s initial response.

However, following consultation with OPDEnergy, SGN has now withdrawn its objection.

"The developer has consulted with SGN and have agreed to liaise with SGN throughout the planning process as well as confirm earthing/fault mitigation measures on the site," said SGN pipeline engineer Bryan Young, in a letter to council planning officers. "We now agree to withdraw our objection to the planning application.

"Please not however that should the extent or design of the planning permission be amended, then we may require further consultation with the developer."

Meanwhile, the development faces further hurdles before a decision is taken on whether to approve it or not

Transport Scotland has not objected to the plans, but has noted that the connection line that would link the battery storage site to the national grid at Nairn Sub Station, passes the proposed route for the town’s A96 dualling upgrade work. It has requested further consultation time while it looks into the logistics of this.

In a statement lodged with the council, it said: “As highlighted the proposed route for the grid connection to the Nairn Sub Station does pass under the proposed route of the A96 dualling and therefore we will require to discuss this with the A96 team to ascertain any issues or impact that may be.

“We would ask that the consultation period be extended is to allow the appropriate discussions to be undertaken.”

Elsewhere, Highland Council’s transport planning team has also previously requested that conditions be attached to the development, should it be approved.

These would include improvements to local minor roads to accommodate construction traffic during the site’s installation. These would include additional passing places. They have also recommended that checks are carried out on nearby junctions to see if visibility is sufficient and if improvements are required.

The council’s officers and Transport Scotland have both also requested a construction traffic management plan be drawn up before any development could begin.

In a supporting statement OPDEnergy said the site is in a location that “can be developed without causing significant adverse environmental impacts, and adjacent to a spot where the grid has the capacity and the need for a five balancing mechanism; which makes it ideal for the sitting of this necessary facility to be connected to the grid, at Nairn substation”.

The site is screened to the east and south by woodland and OPDEnergy added that additional planting would be carried out to mitigate the site’s visual impact.

If approved it added that it anticipates the site would have a lifespan of up to 30 years, with potential for the battery storage facilities to be swapped out for replacements around halfway through that period.

The application by OPDEnergy is currently one of several battery energy storage systems (BESS) being considered by different developers in the Blackpark, Grigorhill and surrounding areas.

The flurry of applications - both here and at other locations across the Highlands - has sparked concern among communities over potential fire risks and other issues.

The concentration of such projects in the area near Nairn has also been raised at the likes of Nairn River Community Council.

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