News
Binn Solar and BESS Farm unanimously approved by Perth and Kinross Council
9 July 2026
Perth and Kinross Council’s planning committee today (Wednesday 9 July) unanimously approved Binn Solar and BESS Farm following a strong recommendation from planners.
Binn Solar and BESS Farm is four kilometres northwest of Strathmiglo and five kilometres northeast of Glenfarg. It will comprise around 60,000 solar panels that will produce up to 39MW of electricity and a battery energy storage system (BESS) that will store excess energy and release it to the grid when it is most needed.
The project will generate enough renewable energy to power over 15,400 homes each year.
Backed by Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust.
BLC Energy is backed by Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust, a fund within the Octopus Energy Group.
Neil Lindsay, managing director of BLC Energy, said: “We are thrilled that Perth and Kinross Council approved Binn Solar and BESS Farm.
“This is exactly the kind of well-sited, responsibly developed renewable energy project needed to help Scotland and the UK meet climate targets while improving national energy security.
“We made a great effort to consult with the local community and design the solar farm so that it is sensitive to the local landscape.
“We’ll be adding 2.3 kilometres of hedgerows and planting almost 8,000 new trees that will mitigate any visual impacts of the development and considerably improve the site’s biodiversity.”
£19,500 each year for local causes.
“Alongside the benefit of generating renewable energy, we’re also focused on generating benefits for the local community.
“We’re offering a community benefit fund worth £500 for every megawatt of export capacity, equating to £19,500 each year for the 40-year life of the project.
“We believe those living closest to any development should benefit most, so we are investigating whether we can establish a local energy discount mechanism to offer those households reduced energy bills.”
Binn Solar and BESS Farm has a grid connection date of 2031, when it can begin exporting electricity to the National Grid. Construction will take around six months, and we are committed to using local suppliers where possible.
Our expanding solar portfolio forms part of a broader effort to scale up renewable generation across the UK. By combining solar power with battery energy storage and viable grid connections, our projects are designed to provide dependable, low-carbon electricity for decades to come.