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Battery storageUnited KingdomEIR-0681

Gas leak at Cockenzie battery storage site under construction

2026Published 12 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

MinorGas releaseProvisional
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidence
out of service for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hidden
Where
building site near Edinburgh Road, Cockenzie, East Lothian
What
gas leak at BESS construction site
Injuries
residents reported headaches and nausea
Cause
third-party damage to a gas main
Response
SGN attended and coordinated with ScottishPower

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): ScottishPower

What happened

A gas leak was reported in the afternoon at a battery energy storage system under construction off Edinburgh Road, near Cockenzie. Residents close to the site reported a strong smell of gas and noise. Scottish Gas Networks attended and said the leak followed third-party damage to a gas main at the building site. The repair team had to wait for ScottishPower so work could be co-ordinated near a high-voltage cable.

Some residents in the immediate vicinity were advised to close windows and doors. There were also reports of headaches and nausea. Scottish Gas Networks said there was no immediate risk to gas supplies and no cause for concern for local residents, and that it was not yet known how long the repair would take.

Contributing factors

Scottish Gas Networks said the leak followed third-party damage to a gas main at the construction site. A nearby high-voltage cable meant the repair had to be co-ordinated with ScottishPower.

Lessons learned

  1. Identify buried gas and electricity services before ground works on an energy construction site.
  2. Plan how an emergency repair will be co-ordinated where a high-voltage cable is nearby.
  3. Give nearby residents clear, limited advice and timely updates when a gas smell is reported.

More lessons on electrical protection and isolation, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Repair timescales
  • Outcome of the repair
  • Investigation findings

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

eastlothiancourier.com

Other entries that name Cockenzie

Published 2026-09-12. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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