Bid to extend lifespan of Watten wind farms is just the beginning, say campaigners
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Operators of commercial wind farms are increasingly looking to extend the lifespans of their schemes.
Scotland Against Spin (SAS) is flagging up the mounting number of turbine ventures which have secured consent for significant extensions.
Among the latest is the company behind the two clusters at Wethegar, near Watten.
Gresham House Asset Management has already got the go-ahead to prolong the life of Wathegar 2 from 25 to 40 years.
And it has just applied to Highland Council to double the lifespan of the five-turbine Wathegar 1 from 25 to 50 years. If approved, that would give the company the green light to operate it until 2063.
The nine turbines at Wathegar 2 meanwhile are due to be decommissioned in 2057.
SAS's Aileen Jackson said it has become a trend for wind farm operators to submit amendments after getting the green light for their initial planning approval.
Speaking of Wethegar 1, she said: "This latest application may be a precursor of more to come.
"There could be further proposed increases in tip height as its 101 metre turbines are considered small these days, with most applications being in the 200-260 metre range."
She added: "They may even go for a complete repower.
"If you ask for small changes, you are likely to get them quite easily. Ask for too many at one time and they are more likely to raise objections and be refused."
SAS says the extensions in lifespan are very unwelcome for residents whose lives have been blighted by the presence of turbines.
"It's very sad for anyone who was against the wind farms to start with and looking forward to decommissioning," said Ms Jackson. "Many won't see their landscape restored in their lifetime now."
Most new applications, she said, tend to be for 40 years, with the operators of a scheme in east Renfrewshire seeking permanent consent.
Ms Jackson said that lifespan extensions do increase the amount of community benefit paid out by the operators and conceded that some may welcome that.
She said: "The important thing is that the whole community takes the time to make their feelings known by submitting a representation to the applications."
Gresham's latest bid for the 10.25 megawatt scheme at Wethegar 1 is currently being considered by Highland Council officials.
The development, eight miles west of Wick, received planning approval in May 2010 and went live three years later.
Consultants Natural Power say that turbines can now produce electricity over a longer period than previously thought.
Extending it beyond the current deadline of 2038 would create enough extra power for nearly 10,000 households per year and further offset CO2 emissions in line with Scottish Government net zero targets, the company says. It would also generate more community benefit and job opportunities.
Natural Power state: "There is no technical reason for discontinuing the wind farm after 25 years given the expected low levels of degradation of equipment.
"It is now considered that it is reasonable to expect the wind farm could have a viable lifespan of up to 50 years."
