A company that is looking to place a Battery Energy Storage System in the northern end of the county has bought property, even though no final approvals have been made.

According to real estate documents at the Chautauqua County Clerk’s Office, on April 17 Press Holdings, LLC sold a parcel on Brigham Road to GCI Lighthouse Lando, LLC for $550,000.

There are no structures on the property, which is 15 acres and sits between two railroads lines.

GCI Lighthouse Energy Storage has proposed a $500 million Battery Energy Storage System on Brigham Road. BESS projects are described as shipping containers, similar to ones on a freightliner. Inside the containers would be racks of modules made up of batteries.

The BESS in Dunkirk would have an interconnection capacity of up to 250 megawatts.

Company officials said previously it could store energy generated from things like solar, wind, as well as power plants.

Officials with GCI Lighthouse Energy Storage have appeared before the Dunkirk City Planning Board, the Chautauqua County Planning Board and the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency to discuss their plans.

At the February IDA meeting, it was stated that the total project cost was estimated at up to $500 million, but that was subject to a NYSERTA award.

A public announcement by NYSERTA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, has not been made on the project.

GCI Lighthouse said last year they were hoping to start construction in 2028 and have the project completed by 2030, but that was contingent on NYSERTA.

GCI Lighthouse Energy Storage is also seeking incentives through a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement, including real property tax sales tax abatement and mortgage recording tax abatement from the county IDA.

The IDA Board of Directors approved a “due diligence” resolution, which allows the IDA to start the process, including environmental studies.

Before a final vote for any tax breaks, a public hearing must take place.

Since making the proposal, area residents have appeared at various public meetings, expressing safety concerns.

Nicholas S. Barter, Dunkirk fire chief, previously penned a letter to the Dunkirk City Planning Board, where he said they had reviewed the project’s overall fire safety strategy, potential hazards, and the infrastructure requirements necessary for effective emergency response. “I believe that, with appropriate measures in place, the fire department will be able to respond effectively should we be needed,” Barter wrote.