FAQs

  • Each project is to be considered on its own merits and we believe that this site, with good wind speed, has the potential for a renewable energy park.

  • The application is for nine wind turbines, solar panels, battery storage, and ancillary infrastructure, such as a site entrance, tracks, a substation, laydown areas, and construction compounds.

  • We are proposing a maximum turbine height of up to 200m to tip.

  • The project is expected to operate for at least 40 years.

  • The wind farm will either be decommissioned, have its life extended or be re-powered.

    To ensure that the project will be eventually decommissioned and the site restored, a bond or other financial guarantee would be put in place before construction starts, which The Highland Council and landowner can access in the unlikely event the developer became insolvent in the future.

  • Transport route is a key issue for communities.

    As part of the planning application, we submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment Report, which includes an assessment on the Traffic and Transport associated with the project. Please find the Documents section for more information.

  • As part of the planning submission, we prepared an Environmental Impact Assessment Report, which assesses the potential significant impacts that the project may have on a range of environmental factors, i.e. birds, habitats, peat and amenity. Please find the Documents section for more information.

  • Noise baseline surveys have been undertaken, which consider the potential effects on nearby residential properties associated with both the construction and operation of the project.

    The noise assessment also takes into account other wind farms in the area, consented or currently in planning and will help to determine suitable noise limits that the project will have to operate within.

  • Peat probing surveys have been undertaken across the site which show some areas of peat are present across the proposed site. Peat is examined as part of the application and please visit the Documents section for more information.

  • A cultural assessment has been completed in line with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) Guidance. Heritage assets within the site have been identified through consultation, desk based research and a walkover survey of the site.

    There are no designated heritage assets within 2km of the site and there is one non-designated asset within the site, which will not be directly impacted by the project. There are a number of non-designated assets within the surrounding area which will be considered in terms of potential impacts to their setting through consultation with relevant consultees.

  • A shadow flicker assessment has been undertaken at properties which are within the defined study area. The purpose of the study is to assess the likelihood of shadow flicker occurring at residential properties within this area.

    The impacts of shadow flicker can be greatly reduced or removed entirely through various methods. If any potential significant effects are identified at residential properties once this assessment is complete, our project teams would be happy to discuss these mitigation options with them directly.

  • The project, if consented, will provide £5000 per MW installed per year. This is in line with Scottish Government Best Practice. We will not be prescriptive on the use of the funds. Please let us know how you would like to see the fund used to meet your local areas needs.

    We will also look to install solar panels on nearby community assets or businesses if there is local interest.

    The project is open to an Energy Discount Scheme if interest in the community.

  • We are open to discussions around opportunities for Community Shared Ownership of the project.

  • Yes. We plan to organise 'Meet the Developer' events for businesses in the future to facilitate working with the local supply chain and encourage businesses to provide their contact details.

  • Nearly 80-85% of the total mass of a wind turbine can already be recycled. There are several Scottish companies (Renewable Parts in Argyll and Bute and ReBlade in Glasgow) that are already involved in this area.

    Some wind turbine manufacturers have recently developed a recyclable wind turbine blade for commercial use offshore. The blades use a new type of resin which makes it possible to efficiently separate the resin from other components at the end of its life. It is being trialled in Germany and will likely be used onshore in time.

  • A turbine of 200m in height usually requires approximately 300m3 of concrete.

    Full details of the foundations will be provided in the planning application.

    The use of concrete in the turbine foundations is taken into account in the carbon calculator used to determine the total carbon payback period of the proposal. Typically a project of this nature would have a carbon payback period of up to 2 years, beyond which the project would produce carbon-free electricity for the rest of its operational lifetime.