Lower Bodachra Solar and Storage

Innova Renewables Developments has submitted a planning application for a new solar array and energy storage system located Lower Bodachra Farm and Perwinnes Farm in Dyce, Aberdeen. The site will have the ability to generate up to 72 MWp of solar energy and store 45MW through Energy Storage Systems.

This solar generation is enough to power 23,800 homes, which equates to 19.5% of all homes in Aberdeen City Council. The project will also prevent 14,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted each year throughout its 40-year lifespan.

The site has been carefully selected and designed through a detailed assessment process considering grid availability, heritage, landscape and amenity, ecology and environmental designations, access, and agricultural land quality.  We have instructed a wide range of expert consultants to undertake a variety of surveys to assist with the design.

An important part of the development process is to engage with the local community, and we held our first drop-in event for the local community on Wednesday 25th October 2023 from 2pm-7pm at Balgownie Community Centre.

Following this event, we evaluated the feedback obtained as well as feedback from Aberdeen City Council and concluded on our surveys to update our proposal. We held a second consultation event on Wednesday 13th March 2024 between 3:30pm – 8:00pm at Oldmachar Church, Ashwood Park, Bridge of Don to share the changes we had made.

The UK has committed to becoming Net Zero by 2050 and a target to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2035. The proposed development would support the UK’s transition to Net Zero and increase the use of renewable energy through supporting the availability of energy to the National Grid.

The UK has committed to becoming Net Zero by 2050 and a target to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2035. This requires an extra 3GW of solar to be built each year. Scotland is aiming to generate 50% of Scotland’s overall energy consumption from renewables sources by 2030. This results in Scotland requiring at least 20 Gigawatts of additional low-cost renewable electricity capacity. Renewable energy developments like Lower Bodachra Solar and Storage are a key part of addressing the Climate Emergency. The development will serve a key role in this vital transition to renewable energy.

Aberdeen City Climate Change Plan 2021-2025 states an interim target of corporate carbon emissions being reduced by 75% compared to the Council’s 2015/16 reporting baseline. Aberdeen City Council are aiming to be Net Zero by 2045.

We have proposed a 72MW Solar and 45MW Energy Storage development to be located on Lower Bodachra farm and Perwinnes Farm in Dyce, Aberdeen.

The site has been carefully selected after reviewing land available within a 3km radius of Dyce GSP. The proposal will connect to the National Grid via an underground cable from the substation on site to Dyce GSP.

The site has been carefully selected and designed through a detailed assessment process considering grid availability, heritage, landscape and amenity, ecology and environmental designations, access, and agricultural land quality.  We have instructed a wide range of expert consultants to undertake a variety of surveys to assist with the design.

The site is split over two parcels of land. The western parcel which boarders Whitestripes Road and is partially surrounded by existing woodlands. The eastern parcel is located by the NATS radar tower. The current landscape contains industrial built form and structures such as overhead lines.

Access information

The majority of vehicular movements associated with the development will occur during the construction phase, which is expected to take 16 weeks. A temporary construction compound will be created towards the eastern boundary of the site.

Construction vehicles will be required to follow routes and safety procedure set out within the Traffic Statement and Construction Traffic Management Plan. The construction vehicles will travel from the A90, on to the B977, and head south along the B997.

Once the solar farm has been completed and is operational, there will be one to two visits a month for routine maintenance from light goods vehicles, or a 4X4.

Cable route

The site will connection to Dyce GSP by an underground cable. The two sites will also be connected via an underground cable.

A range of specialist consultants undertook surveys to aud the design process and to ensure the site is approiate for development. All the surveys have been submitted as part of the planning application including the following:

• Hydrology and Flood Risk Assessment
• Land Capability for Agriculture
• Highways and Construction Traffic Management Plan
• Landscape and Visual Assessment
• Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment
• Fire Management Plan
• Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
• Ecological Impact Assessment
• Arboriculture Assessment
• Noise Assessment
• Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment
• Bird Hazard Management Plan
• Economic Impact Assessment
• Health Impact Assessment