Wednesday October 7th 2026
Kirknewton visualisation - View southeast from Selm Muir Wood path entrance on Leydon Road
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
West Lothian Council’s planning committee today (7 October) unanimously approved Kirknewton Solar and BESS Farm following a recommendation for approval by planning officers.
The project will provide a community benefit fund worth £26,000 every year for the 40-year life of the solar farm, supporting local organisations and initiatives in the Kirknewton area.
Kirknewton Solar and BESS Farm is on land off Leyden Road, two kilometres southwest of the village of Kirknewton.
It will comprise around 83,000 solar panels that will produce up to 40MW of electricity and a nine MW battery energy storage system (BESS) that will store excess energy and release it to the grid when it is most needed.
The project, from Perthshire-based BLC Energy, will generate enough renewable energy to power over 12,500 homes each year.
It is BLC Energy’s second approval in 2026, following Perth and Kinross Council planning committee’s unanimous approval for Binn Solar and BESS Farm on Thursday 9 July.
The project is developed by BLC Energy and backed by funds managed by Octopus Energy Generation.
John Sives Kirknewton from the Community Council, Neil Lindsay from BLC and Andrew Bright from BLC
Neil Lindsay, managing director of BLC Energy, said: “We are thrilled that West Lothian Council approved Kirknewton Solar and BESS Farm.
“The team worked very hard on the project’s design to ensure it is sensitive to the local landscape.
“The planting of trees and hedgerows that will screen the site will also provide an increase in biodiversity.
“We’re offering a community benefit fund of £26,000 each year for the 40-year life of the project.
“We believe those living closest to any development should benefit most, so we are investigating the potential of establishing a local energy discount scheme to offer the nearest households reduced energy bills.”
John Sives, chair of Kirknewton Community Council, said: “Kirknewton Community Council unanimously decided to support the Kirknewton Solar and BESS Farm.
“BLC Energy collaborated with us throughout the consultation process on the design, and we’re very pleased at the level of community benefit that will be made available to the local community.”
Kirknewton Solar and BESS Farm has a grid connection date of 2030, when it will begin exporting electricity to the National Grid. Construction will take around six months, and BLC Energy is committed to using local suppliers where possible.
Backed by funds managed by Octopus Energy Generation, BLC Energy’s expanding solar portfolio forms part of a broader effort to scale up renewable generation across the UK. By combining solar power with battery energy storage and viable grid connections, the projects are designed to provide dependable, low-carbon electricity for decades to come.
For more information, visit: www.blcenergy.com/projects/Kirknewton/
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