Threat of noise pollution provokes growing opposition to plans for energy storage complex near Beauly
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Opposition is mounting to plans for an energy storage facility near Beauly.
Developers want to build the 49.9 megawatt capacity complex beside Caulternich Farm, Kilmorack, to provide "rapid response electrical back-up" to the National Grid.
Drawing on excess renewable energy, it would not generate power, but store and release it as and when demand required.
Applicants Whirlwind Energy Storage Ltd and Caulternich Farm say it would be an early deployment of technology already commonplace in other countries including the USA and Australia.
They also claim the project fits with Scottish Government climate, decarbonisation and green energy objectives.
However, the threat of noise pollution and the proximity of the 1.13 hectare site to nearby residential properties – including two homes only 170 metres away – has provoked significant concern.
Highland Council’s planning department has received several dozen objections from members of the public. The local authority’s environmental health team also indicated it would be opposed on the grounds of potential noise disturbance.
Classed as a "major development", the project would feature 50 energy storage batteries and a total of 27 electrical transformers, likely to be encased within fifty 40-foot steel sea containers, alongside other structures.
A supporting statement from developers said jobs would be created in the project’s construction, operation and maintenance.
It added: "There is a clear and urgent need for low carbon energy generation and the benefits of the proposal significantly outweigh the disbenefits."
The submission also claimed noise disturbance would be "very low" with lighting having no significant impact, while claiming an ecological assessment flagged up no issues.
However, a report by the environmental health team gave detailed reasons why a noise assessment report was inadequate and incomplete.
It stressed the developers had "not demonstrated that the noise from the proposed development would not cause loss of amenity to any nearby noise sensitive properties".
Highland Council’s principal planner, Tim Stott, said the proposal’s site selection required a far better justification and questioned claims that it was the only viable location north of the Great Glen.
The application drew 41comments – 31 opposed and 10 supportive. Among the most common objections was the potential for noise pollution.
Many objectors supported the principle of green energy storage but "not on agricultural land surrounded by homes".
One, Rhona MacLennan, said: "It is ludicrous that a facility of such size would be considered in an area of outstanding beauty and tranquility. It is just not suitable... close to residential homes."
Fire risk and health and safety concerns were raised, as well as the threat of "systematic industrialisation" of a greenfield setting, damage to the environment, wildlife – including nesting ospreys and red kites – and tourism.
Kilmorack Community Council and landowner Lovat Estates also voiced opposition. However, those supportive of the project pointed to benefits including climate objectives, farm diversification and sustainability, and income to the local economy.
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