Two consultation events are being held ahead of proposals for a battery energy storage system (BESS) to be built between Drongan and Ochiltree.

Balance Power is proposing to build and operate a BESS, on land directly to the south of the existing electricity substation at Coylton, south of the A70.

Planners submitted a proposal of application notice (PoAN) to East Ayrshire Council on July 24, which formally notifies it of its intent to submit a planning application.

As part of the plans, two consultations will be held, allowing the public to learn and ask questions about the proposals.

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An official planning application is set to be submitted once the consultations have concluded.

The first consultation is being held on Thursday, September 7 at Ochiltree Community Hub between 4pm and 7.30pm.

The second consultation will take place on Tuesday, October 3 at Drongan Primary School from 4pm until 7.30pm.

Planners say that in the lead-up to these events, leaflets will be circulated to all residential properties within 1km of the site.

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Balance Power says: "Located two km northeast of Drongan, and a similar distance to the east of Coalhall, the proposed application site redline boundary extends to 4.8 acres (1.94ha). 

"The footprint of the built area housing the batteries, transformers and associated plant and machinery extends to 0.94 acres (0.38ha).

"BESS are developments that store electricity, at times of high generation and low demand, via rechargeable batteries, and release this energy back onto the grid system in times of high demand.

"As heavily polluting but reliable and controllable coal and gas are removed from the grid and replaced by renewable sources (such as wind turbines), it is critical we maintain a resilient energy network.

"With a capacity of around 29.9 megawatts (MW), this proposal is classified as a ‘major development’ under planning regulations.

"Before a planning application can be lodged, Balance Power must undertake two in-person public consultation events on the proposal."

More information can be found on the Coylton Battery Storage website.