Councillor sets out solar farm proposal for area of derelict land in Wick
An area of waste ground in Wick has been identified as a potential site for a solar energy farm that would generate renewable power for surrounding homes.
The idea is being put forward by local Highland councillor Raymond Bremner, who believes a photovoltaic (PV) power station in Pulteneytown would bring a range of benefits at a time of escalating energy costs.
His proposed site is a piece of derelict land at the rear of Pulteney Distillery.
According to Councillor Bremner, the greater proportion of the ground has been identified as council-owned and is unused. There has also been evidence of fly-tipping there.
He has asked officials to investigate the possible regeneration of the site as a photovoltaic power station, or solar farm.
Councillor Bremner spoke about the proposal at recent meetings of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council and Caithness Poverty Action Group.
The SNP member for Wick and East Caithness was elected in May as Highland Council leader.
In March, Councillor Bremner toured the nearby sustainable energy centre owned by Ignis Wick Ltd which provides heating and hot water to around 200 homes in Pulteneytown as well as to Caithness General Hospital and the Assembly Rooms. It also supplies steam to the distillery.
Ignis burns hundreds of tonnes of locally sourced wood chip each month with the heat distributed through a 10.5km network of underground pipes, and Councillor Bremner has highlighted the potential for expansion of the scheme.
“I have asked council officers to investigate the possibility of land at the rear of the distillery in the Pulteneytown area being regenerated as a photovoltaic power station, creating renewable energy that could supply the surrounding area," he said this week.
“Following my discussions with the council and Ignis to increase the availability of the district heating system to additional homes, I believe this idea would be a further opportunity to provide locally produced energy benefiting people in the surrounding community.
"I have also asked council officers to investigate other areas of the town where the council owns land that could be regenerated for similar use.
“With the continuing increase in fuel and energy costs, I really believe that we need to look at producing our own energy locally to tackle the lack of choice we have in terms of electricity suppliers. It is one of the highest energy costs.
"There are so many people who are finding fuel and energy costs crippling. It would also improve the amenity of the area and reduce the anti-social issues of fly-tipping.
"It would be a great use of the land which has been derelict for years.”
The idea has been backed by Scottish Renewables.
Helen Melone, senior policy manager at the industry body, said: “It may come as a surprise that our longer daylight hours mean the electricity generation potential of solar PV in Scotland is very similar to, if not better than, one in central or northern England or parts of Wales. Scotland really can be a hotspot for this type of green energy.
“Solar PV, alongside wind power, is the cheapest way we have of generating power and is already protecting consumers from the high electricity prices caused by the current cost of gas. Schemes like the one proposed for Wick are a great way to use derelict land and we wish the town success with this innovative plan.”
