Dams of Craigie: Early Development
Defining and refining, allowing for early engagement with stakeholders and host communities to understand constraints and opportunities.
Current Status
The Dams of Craigie Project is currently in early development. This phase seeks to:
- Define and then refine the project.
- Allow for early engagement with stakeholders and host communities.
- Understand constraints and opportunities relating to the development of the project.
The site
The proposed site extends to approximately 45ha of agricultural land located just to the north east of the village of Kingseat, Aberdeenshire.
It was chosen because it has minimal environmental constraints and is well screened from residential areas by the topography and surrounding woodland.
It is located adjacent to the connection point with the 275kV overhead line provided minimal infrastructure outside of the site.
The majority of the site has been identified for solar development with a smaller area being identified for the BESS part of the development.
Site analysis and conceptual design
Initial analysis of the site suggests that the southern area is more suitable for a solar array because it consists of open agricultural land with good solar gain opportunities.
The northern part of the site is further away from residential dwellings, so offers greater potential for battery storage as there are more opportunities to mitigage against any concerns regarding noise and visual impact.
Further design work is ongoing in relation to the extent of the area subject to solar development and the options for layouts in respect of the battery storage element.
Landscape and visual amenity
Neither the site nor the surrounding area is subject to any landscape designations. However, it is recognised that the site may still lead to some localised impacts on visual amenity. To ensure this is minimised, a preliminary landscape and visual appraisal is being undertaken. This will consider the different development options available.
Initial engagement with the host community will also consider any local views on areas of greatest sensitivity.
On completion of the appraisal, a Landscape Masterplan and Landscape Visual Assessment will be prepared as part of the detailed design stage and these will set out any required mitigation measures.
Ecology and habitats
The site does not contain and is not located close to any areas designated for their ecological value, and it would not require the loss of any trees or woodland.
A preliminary ecological appraisal has already been undertaken and has not identified any sensitive habitats that cannot be avoided as part of the development proposal within the site.
One protected species was potentially identified on site and further work will be undertaken to confirm the presence of that species and any mitigation required.
A comprehensive landscaping scheme, likely to include scrub and woodland planting, grassland and wildflower meadows, will enhance the overall biodiversity value of the site as part of the development. It will consider ensuring that the development is incorporated into the wider landscape and providing enhanced habitats.
Heritage
The site contains minimal built or cultural heritage constraints although some areas of local archaeological interest exist at the site within the northernmost part of the site.
Further discussions with consultees will determine whether further archaeological works are likely to be required as part of the development proposals.
Flood risk
The site is not subject to any identified areas of flood risk. A drainage impact assessment will be undertaken at the detailed design stage.
Drainage infrastructure will be proposed to mitigate against any impacts resulting from surface water as a result of the development and to ensure that any increase in run off is mitigated and attenuated so as to not cause drainage issues elsewhere.
Noise
Noise assessments are already underway to ensure that the design and location of the development takes into account the amenity of local residents.
Consideration of a layout that minimises noise impact on residential properties within the area is a primary driver at the conceptual design stage. Initial work indicates that development within the northern part of the site is unlikely to impact on residential amenity.
Loss of agricultural land
Agricultural land on site is partly Grade 4.2 (Non-Prime Agricultural Land) and partly Grade 3.1 (Prime Agricultural Land.
The only development proposed within areas of ‘Prime Agricultural Land’ would be the Solar Array which is fully reversible at the end of its operational life, leading to no permanent loss of good quality agricultural land. Furthermore, opportunities exist to retain sheep grazing within the solar array as part of the ongoing management of the site. As such there would be minimal long-term impact on the existing agricultural land.
Access
Access would be taken from the existing farm access off the B979 and most likely via the B999.
More detailed access routing for construction vehicles will be assessed at the detailed design stage and construction routing will be subject to further assessment to ensure it minimises the impact on the local community.
Associated FAQs
If you have any questions regarding battery or solar development, or Lower 48 Energy Ltd, please check out these FAQs or get in touch.
Yes, we will, but here is the background. Under supervision of the Scottish Government, The Energy Consents Unit has published good practice guidance on the procedures for applications for Battery Energy Storage Systems under sections 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. This guidance provides advice for projects requiring an environmental impact assessment.
We believe that the project will take about two years to obtain full planning permission. This is because the project will be decided upon by the Scottish Government under the Section 36 of The Electricity Act. The Scottish Government must approve all projects over 50MW in size for Battery Energy Storage Systems.
Our philosophy is to work as far as possible with local businesses. We hope in doing so we are better off at listening and modifying our project to accommodate the local community views. We have appointed Blackhall & Powis, one of Scotland leading planning agencies to assist with our planning application. Blackhall & Powis have staff based in Aberdeen who are leading the application. To support our application Blackhall & Powis will use a range of local specialist businesses such as Plan A Consult, for reports on ecology, acoustic and archeology. Additionally, we have appointed local lawyers based on Queen’s Road in Aberdeen to assist us in our engagement with the local landowner, the National Grid, and our equipment suppliers.
The existing 275,000-volt transmission line that runs North to South beside Kingseat has sufficient thermal capacity to be able to provide excess electrical power to the battery and to receive electrical power to supply the grid to Aberdeen and the surrounding area including Dyce, Newmachar and as far as Balmedie & Oldmeldurm. A rural site is needed to accommodate the infrastructure, close to existing transmission infrastructure.
Aberdeenshire’s historic experience in the offshore Oil & Gas industry has enabled Scotland to lead the way with regards to Offshore Wind generation. So successful has this been that the UK generates more electricity than any other country on earth via Offshore Wind. The UK National Grid is investing billions of pounds to upgrade and create new electrical infrastructure to enable this green generation to be distributed to consumers. However, there are lots of times in any given day that there is a power imbalance between generation and demand. By locating Batteries close to points of wind generation we can significantly reduce the electrical losses and correct power imbalance found in transmission in the National Grid.
