BLACKHILLOCK BESS – FEASIBILITY CIVIL & STRUCTURAL DESIGN

WCS was appointed to provide a feasibility study for a proposed 300 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Blackhillock site in Keith, Scotland. The scope included civil and structural feasibility for site layout, earthworks, non-structural earth bunds, stormwater and firewater drainage, substructures for transformers, Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) buildings, batteries, and ancillary equipment, retaining structures, acoustic barriers, and internal access roads. This included assessment of constructability, access, and long-term maintainability to support subsequent detailed design stages.

A site visit was carried out to assess existing conditions and potential constraints, supporting detailed evaluation of ground conditions and informing cut-and-fill strategy, foundation approach, and constructability considerations.

Key achievements:

• Proposed feasibility civil and structural designs for all major BESS and GIS substation elements.
• Developed 3D terrain optimisation to reduce material import/export and lower retaining-wall heights.
• Recommended modular green screening and vegetated retaining walls to integrate visual and environmental considerations.
• Defined the drainage strategy to manage stormwater and firewater safely while limiting site impact.