Lerwick Greener Grid

Challenge

Statkraft required the production and submission of a Supporting Environmental Information Report (SEIR) to support a Planning Application for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Lerwick, Shetland.

Solution

We provided project management time to support in collating the necessary reports for the Planning Application. This included day to day communications, financial management, team liaison and meetings with Statkraft and subconsultants and the wider team.

Since the original report was issued, the approach to the project has changed, and it is now proposed to apply for planning permission to install no more than 49.9MW of BESS infrastructure on a development platform to the south of the Gremista Grid Supply Point (GSP). A Planning Application for the development was submitted to Shetland Island Council in February 2023.

The SEIR addressed:

• The installation of up to 49.9MW of BESS units on the separately consented development platform;
• Installation of associated transformers, switchgear, stores and offices, also on the development platform; and
• A short (c.20m) buried cable route to connect the BESS facility to the GSP.

We produced an SEIR to support the Planning Application, the structure of which was:

• Introductory sections including Planning Context, Existing Site and Surroundings and Description of the Development;
• Summary of noise assessment;
• Summary of Transport and Access Assessment (undertaken by Pell Frischmann);
• Consideration of other potential environmental effects.
• Conclusions including any additional mitigation measures required.

We also produced an outline Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) to support the Planning Application.