The project

Helping to resolve the UK’s energy crisis and accelerating the transition to Net Zero through a new renewable energy development in Cupar, Fife.

Downing is developing a new 12.5MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project located in the outskirts of Cupar, a Scottish town which lies between Dundee and Glenrothes.

Cupar BESS will produce enough renewable energy to power up to 35,000 homes for a two-hour period. The project will make a direct contribution to the UK’s Net Zero goals. Transitioning to a renewable energy generation system should mean cheaper energy bills for the U.K. consumer, and solar power is one of the cheapest sources of renewable energy.

Site layout

Our initial site plans are outlined below.

A campaign of further ecological, environmental and heritage surveys will help shape the initial design. The project expands over 0.2 hectares (Ha) and will have an operational lifespan of 40 year. Afterwards it will be decommissioned, and the land will be returned to its natural state.

Project timeline

Creating a sustainable future

We have a long-term vision for Cupar BESS which helps to address the UK’s energy crisis, provides a substantial biodiversity net gain, and supports farmers, local agriculture, and the local community.

Forming a strong relationship with the community that we serve is important to us and we are continually exploring ways we can better support local initiatives. We value your feedback and try to reflect it in the way the project is designed, like the inclusion of permissive pathways and the retention and creation of wildlife habitats. If you do have any thoughts on how we can improve our proposals, please do get in touch here.

Our commitment

We carefully evaluate the impact our developments will have on local habitats, plants, and animals to develop a long-term pan that can deliver at least 10% more biodiversity than before the site is installed.

For Cupar we are planting a woodland and a meadow around the site which will allow the growth of wildflowers and natural habitats for different ecosystems to use.
By planting native hedges, species rich grassland and wildflowers will provide bees, butterflies, and other pollinators with food sources. Also, there is an option to include bee hotels within the site boundary to further support these ecosystems.

Community engagement is the most important aspect of our projects. By communicating and working with local communities throughout the whole development process.

Community benefits

Downing is committed to making a positive contribution in your local community:

No maintenance cost

All installations will be maintained at no cost to the resident for the duration of the planning consent.

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Helping those in need

Initial installations will be offered to households with the greatest need (e.g. those in receipt of winter fuel allowances).

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One-off community payment

A further £1,000/MW one-off payment when construction starts to be used by each Community Council to support local community projects.