“A battery energy storage site (BESS) in the grounds of the Hunterston estate is due to become operational in April.
Renewable energy developers Amp Energy announced plans in 2022 for a ‘Scottish Green Battery Complex’ at Hunterston.
It’s one of two sites which are each set to provide 400 megawatt hours (MWh) of battery storage capacity – the other being located at Kincardine in Fife…..
“In March 2024, a study in the US found that fire safety tech manufacturing defects were discovered in more than a quarter of battery energy storage systems globally.
“The proliferation of giant battery sites prompted one developer to warn that the number of fires will increase expotentially.
“In 2021, a blaze at a similar facility in Australia lasted four days and required 30 fire engines and about 150 firefighters to bring it back under control.”
Cllr Ferguson said a freedom of information request to the Scottish Government had revealed proposals for 106 battery energy storage systems across the country, six of them in North Ayrshire.
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Largs & Millport News 30 March 2024.