Middlerigg Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

Galileo is proposing to construct and operate a Battery Energy Storage System and associated infrastructure on this site. It is proposed that this BESS will connect into the Bathgate Substation.

The purpose of this website is to provide easy access to the latest information on The Middlerigg development, providing information on how you can get involved and share your views. 

Galileo is proposing a development of a battery energy storage centre, located on land Adjacent to the A801, circa 375 metres Northwest of the Bathgate Substation.

At Galileo, we are committed to working with the local community and other key stakeholders to responsibly develop renewable energy projects that help to deliver Scottish climate change targets and ensure a green and sustainable future for generations to come.

The Middlerigg battery energy storage proposal will make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of our electricity system, supporting a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as well as enhancing local infrastructure capacity.

Our proposals were able to be viewed at two unique public exhibitions in Bathgate and Armadale in August 2024 (details below).

Members of the project team from Galileo Empower were there to listen to your thoughts and any questions you may have. The feedback deadline for the second round of public consultations is 12 September 2024.

Following our public consultations and the closing feedback period, the application will be submitted to the West Lothian Council. Once the application and the consultation materials are submitted to the local authority, all formal application materials will be publicly available on their website. This consultation website will also be updated to include links to the submission.

Resources & Downloads

Here you will be able to find downloads and resources relating to the Middlerigg Battery Storage System (BESS) proposal. Check back for the latest information as the project develops.

Your Feedback

Galileo Empower will take account of the comments made during this consultation stage to further develop the proposals ahead of formal planning submission.

You will then have an opportunity to formally submit your representations on the application to West Lothian Council as the local planning authority. Please note that any comments you submit to us are NOT considered to be representations to the application.

You can contact our team at: middleriggbess@galileoenergy.uk

Public Consultation Events

The public consultation exhibitions were held on:

Thursday 15th August 2024 2pm to 7pm

Bathgate Community Centre, 21 – 55 South Bridge Street, Bathgate, EH48 1TL

Thursday 29th August 2024 2pm to 7pm

Armadale Partnership Centre, 7 North Street, Armadale, Bathgate EH48 3QB

consultation boards Second Stage consultaion boards

Why do we need this?

The proposal for Middlerigg BESS is set against the backdrop of the climate emergency and the need to transition to renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from polluting fossil fuels.

It is no exaggeration to say that man-made climate change is the defining crisis of our time, and it is happening even more quickly than we feared, with major global impacts.

No part of the world is immune from the devastating consequences, and the UK is no exception. The Met Office has confirmed that 2023 was provisionally the UK’s second hottest year since records began in 1884, and all ten of the UK’s warmest years took place in the past two decades.

Middlerigg  will play its part in tackling this overall challenge, supporting the delivery of the Scottish Government’s ambitious legally-binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, by helping the national grid an supporting the baseload demand.

 

Why This Site?

The site has been selected due to its proximity to the Bathgate electricity substation. Battery storage technology is making a significant contribution to Scotland meeting its renewable energy targets, ensuring we reach net-zero by 2045.

As the generation of electricity from fossil fuel is phased out and replaced with intermittent renewable electricity generation, a facility such as this will store electricity when it is not required, and then discharge it back into the National Grid when needed.

This provides a flexible system to balance energy supply and demand when, for example, the sun is not shining or the wind not blowing.

The Site & Surroundings

The site is situated on a disused agricultural fields and a scattering of houses along narrow country roads, with some industrial appearance due to many overhead transmission lines and the sub-station.

About Galileo

Galileo is a fast-growing pan-European, multi-technology, renewable energy developer, owner and operator, with a mission to significantly contribute to achieving global emission reduction targets.

We aim to do this by developing enough smart, efficient, high-quality and integrated green energy projects, so that renewable energy becomes the primary source of electricity for all energy consumers in Europe.

Founded in 2020, Galileo currently has a project development portfolio of over 7000MW across multiple European countries, including the UK, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Poland.

Our senior management team is made up of leading energy and investment experts that bring decades of international experience across more than thirty markets. Galileo’s funders are long-term infrastructure and pension funds with a global footprint, international mindset and a collaborative mentality.

Further Information

Our Scotland-based project team is committed to developing projects which deliver substantial and tangible benefits locally and foster strong community relations.

Please get in contact with your questions about the early-stage proposals, and your suggestions for how we can engage inclusively with the community on the proposals.

General & Press Enquiries:
Email: middleriggbess@galileoempower.uk

Project-specific Enquiries:
Laura Petrie
Project Manager Galileo
7-9 N St David St Edinburgh EH2 1AW
Email:Laura.Petrie@galileoempower.uk
Web: galileoempower.uk