Bluestone Energy submit further battery energy storage system proposal to
North Lanarkshire Council

Bluestone Energy, a renewable energy developer, is planning to build a battery energy storage system at Scottish Water’s Airdrie Waste Water Treatment Works in North Lanarkshire.

The battery energy storage system at Airdrie Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) would play an important role in balancing supply and demand. The battery energy storage system would charge to store excess generated electricity when demand is low and discharge to release stored electricity when demand is high.

This flexibility is important to provide security of supply, which is vital alongside the increased
deployment of intermittent renewable energy assets, as we move away from utilising coal and gas
generation. The battery energy storage system would also provide niche services to support the day
to day operation of the electricity network.

The Airdrie WWTW battery energy storage system would consist of 14 units providing a combined
capacity of 49.9MW / 49.9MWh. The project will consist of a control room to allow for operation
and maintenance of the system and associated electrical infrastructure to facilitate a connection to
Scottish Power Electricity Networks’ substation at Coatbridge.

The public consultation with local stakeholders is being scheduled for later this year and the
application for consent will be submitted in the first quarter of 2023.

Andy MacPherson, Managing Director at Bluestone Energy, said: “Rapid deployment of flexible
assets such as battery energy storage are essential in Scotland delivering net zero by 2045. The
Airdrie Waste Water Treatment Works battery energy storage system could provide low cost green
electricity to consumers and minimise our demand for imported electricity and gas.”

Donald MacBrayne, Business Development Manager of Scottish Water Horizons, said: “We are
delighted to be able to work with Bluestone Energy on this exciting project by facilitating it at our
site in Airdrie.

“These projects align with Scottish Water’s ambitions to be net zero by 2040 and go beyond by
working in partnership with others to reduce their emissions too. By taking this approach we can all
make significant contributions to Scotland’s net zero goals.

“The Airdrie site was chosen to host the battery energy storage system due to suitable land and
close proximity to Scottish Power Electricity Networks substation with an available point of
connection and network capacity.

“Although the project is on Scottish Water’s land, the battery energy storage system does not
provide any power directly to Scottish Water. However, Scottish Water have agreed a land lease deal
to host the project, with revenue received being reinvested in renewable projects for the benefit of
customers.”

“Rapid deployment of flexible assets such as battery energy storage are essential in Scotland delivering net zero by 2045. The Airdrie Waste Water Treatment Works battery energy storage system could provide low cost green electricity to consumers and minimise our demand for imported electricity and gas.”

Andy MacPherson, Managing Director at Bluestone Energy

This project is one of six battery energy storage systems across Scottish Water sites, which
are being facilitated by Scottish Water Horizons, the public utility’s commercial subsidiary. Three
proposals have already been submitted to the Scottish Government for battery energy storage
systems at Scottish Water’s Laighpark WWTW, Stanely Water Treatment Works and Linwood
Waste Water Pumping Station.

These projects form part of a joint development agreement with Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investment Group to develop in excess of 2 GW of battery energy storage capacity throughout the UK.