ILI Group has secured Section 36 planning consent for its 100 MW Learielaw battery energy storage system (BESS), located near Broxburn in West Lothian.
This is the company’s first major planning approval of 2025, following a strong finish to 2024, during which 350 MW of storage projects were approved across North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, and the Highlands.
The Learielaw project is now Gate 2 ready, meets CP30 technical and delivery criteria, and is scheduled for grid connection in 2028. This positions it well to support Scotland’s increasing demand for flexible grid infrastructure.
Mark Wilson, CEO of ILI Group, stated: “Learielaw is another strong addition to our battery storage pipeline and highlights the momentum we’ve built in delivering nationally significant energy infrastructure.
“As the grid evolves to accommodate more renewable generation, projects like Learielaw will be essential in providing the flexibility and reliability required. This is a key step in our mission to make Scotland a leader in clean, secure energy.”
Battery energy storage systems are vital for modernising the UK’s electricity infrastructure, enabling grid balancing, storing renewable energy for timely use, and offering rapid-response capabilities that help stabilise supply and demand.
