Project: Kirknewton Solar and BESS Farm
Introduction
Located in West Lothian, Kirknewton Solar and BESS Development is expected to generate up to c 50,000MWh (units of electricity) of renewable energy.
Status
Planning submitted
Size
40MW & 9MW BESS
About the project
- Kirknewton Solar & BESS Farm will comprise approximately c83,000 individual solar panels which will sit approximately 2.5ft off the ground, facing south, at an angle of up to 20 degrees, and a Battery and Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 9MW.
- The development will supply power directly into the grid via connection at Currie substation, with an export capacity of up to 40MW.
- A community benefit package will be available for locals to spend according to their own priorities, throughout the lifespan of the project. One such benefit that BLC has suggested would be a Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS) whereby households near the project can apply for discounts on their electricity bills.
- The project will generate enough energy to provide 12,500 homes per year.
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Kirknewton Solar Farm is developed by BLC Energy and owned by TRIO Power Limited. TRIO is owned by the Octopus Renewable Infrastructure Trust (ORIT), a fund managed by Octopus Energy Generation (OEGEN).OEGEN is one of the largest renewable energy investors in Europe, managing more than 230 large-scale green energy projects with a combined capacity of 3.25 GW.
Location
Kirknewton, West Lothian. It is approximately 2kms southwest of Kirknewton village, on land off Leyden Road.
Community benefit
Kirknewton Solar & BESS Farm will generate an annual community benefit fund worth £500 for every megawatt (MW) of export capacity on site, equating to £26,000 per annum for the 40-year project life.
Working with a community liaison group comprised of Community Councillors, Kirknewton Solar & BESS Farm will establish how the communities local to the project wish to manage this benefit fund. The plan will be to split the fund in half with half (£12,500) being made available as grants to neighbouring properties.
To find out more about how community benefits can be managed please visit: https://localenergy.scot/community-benefits-toolkit/
Public engagement
- We are committed to maintaining open communication channels with local communities, councils and other stakeholders, to discuss the development of the project and the use of the community benefit fund.
- An initial meeting with community councils took place in May 2025, and a public exhibition is to be held in June 2025.
- 1-1 briefing meetings with elected representatives.
- Regular meetings with a local liaison group comprised of community councillors.
- The first of two public exhibitions took place on 12 June, Kirknewton Village Hall, which shared the project design and welcomed community feedback.
- An online presentation took place on 16th June.
- The second public exhibition took place at the same venue on 25 September 2025. The online presentation took place on 29 September 2025.
- The project planning application (0998/FUL/25) was submitted to West Lothian Council on 12th December 2025. To view all the planning submission documentation and to support or object to the application, please follow the link below, which will take you to the application page on the West Lothian Council planning portal.
https://planning.westlothian.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=T7B13DRJGSV00
- For further information on the project, please contact the office directly using the form at the bottom of this page.
Project timeline
Initial community meetings held to introduce the proposed project and gather feedback.
Environmental surveys ongoing
First Public Exhibition. Ongoing community engagement and consultation as the proposed project progresses towards planning approval.
Second Public Exhibition date 25 September. The online presentation was held on 29 September.
Planning application submitted to West Lothian Council. Project planning application V0998/FUL/25).
Grid connection date
Project News
September 2025 BLC Energy is holding a second public exhibition for its proposed solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) farm on land off Leyden Road, 2km southwest of Kirknewton Read more...
BLC Energy recently held the first public exhibition for Kirknewton Solar and BESS farm at Kirknewton Village Hall, West Lothian. The event on Thursday 12 June attracted over 40 local Read more...
May 2025 The first public exhibition will take place on Thursday 12th June 2025, at Kirknewton Village Hall, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Attendees will have the opportunity to Read more...
Project Images
Exhibition Material
Below are links to PDFs of the rollup banners displayed at the 12/6/25 exhibition.
Welcome
Our Proposal
Battery Energy and Storage System (BESS)
Landscape and Environmental Considerations
Biodiversity Net Gain
Community Benefit Fund
Next Steps
Download the PowerPoint presentation from the 12/6/25 exhibition here.
Below are links to PDFs of the rollup banners displayed at the 25/9/25 exhibition.
Welcome
Updated Layout
Feedback - Agriculture and Renewable
Feedback - Recreational
FeedQuestions - Transport
Battery Energy and Storage System (BESS)
Community Benefit Fund
Next Steps
Download the Powerpoint slides from the Community Council Presentation 14/10/25.
Application Documents
TEIA Report Chapters (Volume I)
Volume I - Chapter 1 - Introduction.pdf
Volume I - Chapter 2 - Approach to EIA.pdf
Volume I - Chapter 3 - Site Selection and Design Iteration.pdf
Volume I - Chapter 4 - Proposed Development.pdf
Volume I - Chapter 5 - Ecology and Ornithology.pdf
Volume I - Chapter 6 - Landscape and Visual Impact.pdf
Volume I - Chapter 7 - Summary of Effects and Enhancements.pdf
EIA Report Figures (Volume II)
Volume I - Figure 1.1 - Site Location.pdf
Volume I - Figure 1.2 - Proposed Development Layout.pdf
Volume I - Figure 3.1.1 - Environmental Constraints 5km.pdf
Volume I - Figure 3.1.2 - Environmental Constraints 1km.pdf
Volume I - Figure 3.2 - Layout 1.pdf
Volume I - Figure 3.3 - Layout 2.pdf
Volume I - Figure 3.4 - Layout 3.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.1 - Cumulative.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.2 -Typical Array Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.3 -Typical BESS Container Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.4 -Typical PCS Station Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.5 -Typical Aux Transformer Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.6 -Typical Transformer Station Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.7 -Typical DNO Substation Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.8 -Typical Private Substation Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.9 -Typical Spares Container Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.10 -Typical Comms and Spares Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.11 -Typical Trench Cable Cross Section.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.12 -Typical Welfare Container Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.13 -Typical Water Tank Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.14 -Typical Fence and Gate Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.15 -Typical CCTV Post Elevation.pdf
Volume I - Figure 4.16 -Typical Access Track Cross Section.pdf
Volume II - Figure 5.1 - Statutory Designated Sites.pdf
Volume II - Figure 5.2 - Non Statutory Designated Sites.pdf
Volume II - Figure 5.3 - UK Habitat Survey Results.pdf
Volume II - Figure 5.5 - Non Confidential Protected Species.pdf
Volume II - Figure 5.5.1-5.5.5 - Breeding Bird Survey Results.pdf
Volume II - Figure 6.1 - 3km Study Area.pdf
Volume II - Figure 6.2 - Zone of Theoretical Visibility.pdf
Volume II - Figure 6.3 - Excluded Zone of Theoretical Visibility with Viewpoints.pdf
Volume II - Figure 6.4 - Landscape Character Types.pdf
Volume II - Figure 6.5 - Landscape Designations and Visual Receptors.pdf
Volume II - Figure 6.6 - Residential Receptors.pdf
Volume II - Figure 6.7 - Cumulative Development.pdf
EIA Report Technical Appendices (Volume III)
Volume III - Technical Appendices 6.1 - 6.4 - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Appendices.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.1 - EIA Screening Opinion.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.2 - Outline Battery Safety Management Plan.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.3 - Historic Desk Based Assessment.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.4 - Transport Statement .pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.5 - Flood Risk & Drainage Impact Assessment Part 1.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.5 - Flood Risk & Drainage Impact Assessment Part 2.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.6 - Glint and Glare.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.7 - Noise Impact Assessment.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.8 - Arboriculture Impact Assessment - Arboriculture Method Statement - Part 4.pdfVolume III - Technical Appendix 2.8 - Arboriculture Impact Assessment - Part 1.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.8 - Arboriculture Impact Assessment - Tree Impact Assessment - Part 2.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 2.8 - Arboriculture Impact Assessment - Tree Protection Plan - Part 3.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 5.2 - Preliminary Ecological Appraisal.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 5.4 - Bat Survey Reports.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 5.5 - Breeding Bird Surveys.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 5.6 - Outline Biodiversity Enhancement and Management Plan.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 5.7 - Shadow Habitat Regulation Assessment.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 6.5 - Landscape Enhancement and Mitigation Plan.pdf
Volume III - Technical Appendix 6.6 - Visualisations.pdf
Drawings
Kirknewton Solar and BESS Indicative Proposed Development Layout Planning Drawing.pdf
Supporting Documents
Kirknewton Solar and BESS Cover Letter.pdf
Kirknewton Solar and BESS Design and Access Statement.pdf
Kirknewton Solar and BESS Non-Technical Summary.pdf
Kirknewton Solar and BESS Planning Statement.pdf
Kirknewton Solar and BESS Pre-application consultation Report.pdf