RES has received planning consent to build the Drum Farm energy storage project in north east Scotland following Moray Council’s Planning and Regulatory Services Committee decision to unanimously approve the scheme, in line with the case officer’s recommendation.

Drum Farm Energy Storage System is situated on land at Drum Farm, near Keith in Moray, Scotland. The new 49.9MW facility will store electricity at times when generation exceeds demand, and release electricity back to the grid network when demand exceeds generation. It will facilitate the deployment of new wind, solar and other renewables which will be central to achieving the Government’s net zero commitments as well as enabling more energy to be generated domestically, improving security of supply.

Alan McMahon, Head of Energy Storage at RES, said: “Energy storage is an essential part of the UK’s future energy system and will be crucial in enabling the rollout of zero and low carbon energy. We are very pleased with Moray Council’s decision which allows Drum Farm Energy Storage System to play its part in supporting the UK’s net-zero emissions target while ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the grid network.”