THE BRIEF

Renewable energy developer Galileo Empower appointed Orbit Communications for its track record in developing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

With a total of 49.9MW of storage capacity and located between Bathgate and Armadale in West Lothian, these projects can, by their nature, be highly controversial.
Communities worry about noise, fire risk and visual impact — and objections are the norm, not the exception.
The brief was to build genuine local and political support in both Bathgate and Armadale through stakeholder and community engagement, to ensure the planning application is granted by West Lothian Council.

Our Approach

As part of the pre-application consultation process, key messaging was developed to advocate for the development’s merits.

  • A comprehensive programme of stakeholder engagement was undertaken with local councillors, MSPs, MP and the community councils of both Bathgate and Armadale. This activity included site visits so individuals could see the limited impact such a development would have on the landscape.
  • A website was developed that hosted the public consultation boards, allowing users to provide feedback – www.middleriggbess.co.uk
  • Public consultation events were held in Bathgate and Armadale, which Orbit organised and promoted via leaflet distribution and social media.
    • Health and physical activity
    • Training and education
    • Community-suggested extras: town enhancements (hanging baskets) and youth programmes
  • A supplier registration portal was opened and promoted to enable local businesses to register their interest in delivering the project — turning consultation into economic opportunity.

Outputs & Outcomes

  • Successfully engaged local stakeholders and communities in Bathgate and Armadale around a potentially contentious BESS development.

  • Built understanding of the proposals and addressed concerns around noise, fire risk and visual impact, resulting in only one note of opposition being submitted to West Lothian Council.

  • Developed a community benefit fund worth around £400,000 over the lifetime of the project.

  • Created opportunities for local businesses through a dedicated supplier registration portal, helping ensure the economic benefits of the development could be shared locally.

  • Briefed councillors ahead of determination, reinforcing the benefits of the development and the positive outcome of the community consultation and stakeholder engagement programme.

  • Secured unanimous approval from West Lothian Council’s Development Management (Planning) Committee.

“We are delighted to have received unanimous consent for a battery storage facility at Middlerigg, our first consent in Scotland, which followed extensive engagement with local communities.

“Infrastructure such as this has a vital part to play as we move away from polluting fossil fuels to clean, green, renewable energy, playing a critical role in tackling climate change and supporting Scotland to achieve its net-zero target.”

Laura Petrie, Senior Project Manager, Galileo Empower