Scotton: Proposed Battery Storage Site

Welcome to the project page for the Scotton Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a proposed 200MW facility designed to support the UK’s transition to a cleaner, more reliable homegrown energy system.

Key facts about the site:

Homes Powered: Up to 648,889 for two hours
Community Fund: £20,000 per year for 40 years (£800,000 total)
Business Rates: Around £500,000 annually for North Yorkshire Council to support local services and community infrastructure
Operational Life: 40 years
Biodiversity Net Gain: Minimum 10% and after its operational period, the land will be reinstated to its former use
Design and Landscape: Designed to blend into surroundings with extensive technical assessments confirming no expected negative impacts on nearby residential properties
Location: Chosen for its close proximity to the existing 275kV Knaresborough Substation
Health and Safety: Developed and maintained under stringent UK health and safety, electrical, and fire safety regulations, ensuring safe operation throughout its lifetime

The Proposed Design

Proposed Landscaping Plan

Construction Access Route

Viewpoint from Access off Low Moor Lane

Viewpoint from Footpath to South of the Proposed Site

Viewpoint from Low Moor Lane

Viewpoint from Market Flat Lane

Wider Context Landscape Plan

Viewpoint from Prow within the proposed BESS site looking towards Market Flat Lane

National Fire Chief Council Guidance

Fire Water Management Plan

BESS: Powering people and planet

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) capture surplus power and store it for when demand is high. When the wind drops or the sun isn’t shining, stored energy is fed back into the grid. This keeps power flowing reliably and enables renewable energy to thrive. Therefore, it reduces the need for fossil fuels and foreign imports, which in turn cuts carbon emissions, enhances energy security, lowers costs and helps prevent blackouts.

But that’s not all. The sector is creating hundreds of thousands of skilled jobs in construction, engineering and maintenance. It is driving innovation and supporting both local and national economies.

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Supporting homegrown clean energy

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Enhancing biodiversity and wildlife

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Strengthening energy security

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Reducing CO2 emissions

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Making energy bills more affordable

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Reducing wind curtailment

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Allocating funds and sponsorship

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Preventing blackouts

Virtual Public Consultation

In addition to our three in-person events held in 2025, we hosted an online webinar on 3 November to share more about the project and answer your questions.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and took part in the discussion. If you couldn’t make it, you can catch up by viewing the presentation and Q&A recap.

Award-winning developers

We are a Yorkshire-based business committed to generating and storing renewable energy to help power a sustainable future. We’ve developed, energised and operated 17 BESS projects totalling 634 MW in the UK, and are proud to have a global pipeline of over 14 GW of BESS and solar projects in development. Our proven track record has resulted in numerous awards, including Developer of the Year, Best ESG Communications, Green Leaders, and multiple Projects of the Year.

Harmony in the community

As a responsible developer and operator, we carefully consider the local impact of our projects, and we are committed to sharing value with people who live and work nearby. Whether it’s through allocating funds to local groups and causes, sponsoring local charities and events, supporting local jobs and businesses, protecting and enhancing nature around our sites, or engaging with a wide range of stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, we’re here to help local communities thrive.

Welcoming the next generation of ‘eco warriors’

We love welcoming local schools and community groups to our sites for tours and events that bring renewable energy to life. These visits give young eco warriors the chance to see first-hand how clean energy is made and why it’s so important for the planet’s future. From learning how batteries store energy from the wind and sun, to seeing how technology is helping to tackle climate change, our tours are designed to spark curiosity and inspire action.

FAQs

1. What is a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)?

A BESS is a collection of large-scale batteries that store electricity for later use. It captures surplus energy from renewable sources like wind and solar, and releases it when electrical demand is high or supply is low. By doing this, excess electricity created by renewables does not have to be wasted, and BESS are able to supply stored electricity to the grid network when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining.

2. How does a BESS help the environment?

By storing renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, BESS help cut carbon emissions, support the growth of clean energy, and reduce pollution. On a local level, each scheme is designed to the highest standards, with appropriate landscaping to ensure the site is appropriately screened.

3. What is the impact on Biodiversity and Wildlife?

At Harmony Energy, we take the impact on wildlife and the environment very seriously. As part of a planning submission, full ecological surveys are carried out ahead of any development, and ecologists are on site to monitor the works where required throughout development. The Environment Act 2021 requires all developers to plan for biodiversity improvements on new development sites. The current standard is that a 10% biodiversity net gain should be provided – in effect, this means leaving the natural environment in a 10% better state than beforehand. Despite this, we endeavour to provide a greater percentage than the statutory requirement to maximise the benefits our sites can deliver.

4. How do BESS support energy security?

BESS are not an energy producer. However, BESS reduce dependence on imported fuels and help balance our electrical supply and demand, making the energy system more resilient.

5. Are BESS safe?

Yes. BESS installations adhere to strict safety regulations and industry standards. They are designed with multiple safety systems and monitored 24/7 to ensure safe operation. The Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD), which tracks energy projects through the planning system, has recorded only two BESS fires in the UK (which utilised different technology) requiring Fire and Rescue Service attendance: one at Carnegie Road, Liverpool in September 2020, and another at East Tilbury in February 2025 (cause still under investigation). Given an estimated 6 million hours of operation, this equates to approximately 0.00000033 failures per hour, significantly lower than many other infrastructures located within communities. Importantly, there have been no fatalities, third-party injuries, or environmental damage resulting from BESS incidents in the UK.

6. Do you consult with fire services?

Yes. We seek to maintain strong working relationships with local fire services and collaborate with them on site-specific emergency response plans during the planning stage, in addition to working with them during construction and operation. While incidents involving BESS are extremely rare, our approach focuses on preparation, prevention, and transparency.

7. How does BESS support local communities?

Harmony Energy seek to provide a range of benefits designed to ensure the project brings lasting value to the local area, not just through clean energy, but through direct support for the community including local jobs and sponsorship opportunities. We will provide an annual Community Benefit Fund to financially support causes that are important to local people and communities. We are also exploring annual payments to residents living closest to our proposed sites. These would be designed to help with rising energy costs. We also host workshops and tours around our operational sites to learn about renewable energy and sustainable practices, and sponsor local events and organisations where appropriate.

8. What does a BESS site look like?

Typically, a BESS site consists of containers approximately 3m in height and 12m in length housing battery modules and control equipment, surrounded by security fencing and landscaping designed to blend with the environment.

9. What criteria do you apply to site selection for battery energy storage systems?

We need land close to the national grid or a local distribution network connection point. The closer the site, the more sustainable it is due to reduced installation costs and transmission losses. After identifying a grid connection point, we conduct detailed analysis of the surrounding available land to find sites with the lowest possible impact on nearby residents, built heritage, ecology, cultural sites, and landscape.

10. Would there be increased traffic in the neighbourhood?

During construction, there will be a temporary but small increase in traffic to deliver materials and equipment. After construction, traffic impact is minimal, with only a few light vehicles visiting each month for maintenance. All traffic impacts are considered in a Transport Statement and consequently controlled by condition of a planning consent through a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), in consultation with the local highways authority.

11. Are there any increased flood risks?

No. We always undertake flood risk assessments and drainage strategies for both the construction and operational phase as part of our planning application, which will identify any special measures required to mitigate potential impacts.

12. Can a BESS cause blackouts or power interruptions?

No. BESS actually help prevent blackouts by stabilising the grid and supplying power when renewable energy output fluctuates.

13. What happens to batteries at the end of their life?

Batteries are either recycled or refurbished. The industry continually improves recycling technologies to reduce environmental impact.

14. I've heard BESS are dangerous. Is that true?

Concerns about the safety of BESS are understandable, especially with misinformation spreading online and in the media. Recent research, including a June 2025 report featured in The Guardian, highlights how climate misinformation can exaggerate risks and create unnecessary fear. At Harmony Energy, safety is our top priority. BESS are subject to strict regulations and rigorous safety standards. Real-world data shows that BESS incidents are extremely rare and have not caused harm to people or the environment in the UK. We believe in sharing clear, evidence-based information and welcome open conversations to address any concerns honestly and transparently.

15. Are BESS noisy?

Impacts from battery noise are not considered to be significant. Batteries do not make any noise themselves, however their fan cooling equipment operates intermittently and this creates the audible noise element. In preparing planning submissions, consideration is given to the nearest properties and noise modelling is carried out to ensure there would be no detrimental impact from noise as a result of the development. Mitigation in the form of bunds or acoustic fencing is provided on site where necessary.