Westport battery energy storage site on A70 near Ochiltree

Renewable energy company, RES, is looking into the possibility of an energy storage system on land north of Killoch Colliery between the Coalhall and Ochiltree.

Construction is currently under way for a battery energy storage system (BESS), operated by Balance Power Projects Limited, on the A70 just before Drongan.

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RES is keen to engage with locals about the idea, with a public exhibition being held at Ochiltree Parish Church on Wednesday, December 4 from 3-8pm.

The Westport Energy Storage System plans will be put on show, with public feedback also welcomed until Monday, January 6, as part of the pre-application process.

A spokesperson for RES said: "Energy storage helps support National Grid by storing energy at times when generation exceeds demand and releasing electricity back to the national grid network when demand exceeds generation, thus creating a more stable and secure electricity system.

"Increasing the installed capacity of energy storage is essential to enabling and accelerating the rollout of zero carbon energy to support Scotland's net-zero emissions target.

"We will be submitting a screening request to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit (ECU) shortly, and alongside this we are undertaking a number of technical and environmental surveys to ensure any potential impact on the environment, landscape, heritage and local residents is appropriately assessed and mitigated.

"As part of our pre-application consultation, we will be holding a public exhibition in the local area to present preliminary plans for the energy storage project.

"We expect to hold the first exhibition event in December and will provide more details on the project website and write directly to local residents."

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You can find out more information about the project online.