Galileo Empower gets approval for new 49.9 MW battery storage project in Scotland

West Lothian Council’s Development Management Committee has unanimously approved a new battery energy storage system (BESS) with a 49.9 MW capacity. Located at Middlerigg Farm, between Bathgate and Armadale in West Lothian, southeastern Scotland, this project marks Galileo Empower’s first secured consent in the region.

Galileo Empower’s project manager Laura Petrie stated, “Infrastructure such as this has a vital part to play as we move away from polluting fossil fuels to clean, green, renewable energy, playing a critical role in tackling climate change and supporting Scotland to achieve its net-zero target.”

She added, “We are confident that this project will bring considerable economic and environmental benefits to West Lothian.”

Galileo Empower has also committed to prioritizing local suppliers and contractors for the facility’s construction and operation.

This approval contributes to a growing portfolio of large-scale energy storage in West Lothian. In March, a 200 MW BESS facility by OnPath Energy received consent near Bathgate. Furthermore, in May, ILI Group secured planning approval for its 100 MW Learielaw BESS project near Broxburn, also within West Lothian, with an anticipated grid connection in 2028.

Intriguingly, ILI Group CEO Mark Wilson told ESS News the company wasn’t pushing further into new batttery projects

“We’re not signing up any more battery sites,” said Wilson, back in March. “As far as we see, the boat has sailed for the UK market. There’s more than enough in the system to hit their targets and then some.”