Strathy South wind farm is under construction, SSE announces

Work on the controversial Strathy South wind farm has begun nearly two decades since the scheme was mooted, SSE has announced.

The energy giant said on Tuesday that early works on the 208MW onshore development in north Sutherland had started.

A final investment decision on the £400 million project adjacent to the Strathy North wind farm was made in December.

It followed a long-running planning process including a public local inquiry after Highland Council objected to a previous application for a wind farm at the site.

The approved 35-turbine scheme promises a guaranteed income for SSE through a 15-year Contracts for Difference deal with the UK government.

Commercial operations are expected to begin in late 2027 and SSE says that once complete, it will be capable of powering around 200,000 British homes.

Stephen Wheeler, managing director of SSE Renewables, said: “The construction of our 208MW Strathy South wind farm puts SSE’s commitment to support the UK as its clean energy champion into action.

“By harnessing our natural resources in Scotland’s northern Highlands, we will be able to generate enough renewable energy when Strathy South enters operation in 2027 to power around 200,000 British homes annually and so help achieve the country’s clean power goal.”

Construction works are being led by RJ McLeod, one of Scotland’s largest privately owned civil engineering and building contractors. It is anticipated the project will support up to 125 full-time jobs at peak construction.

Danish manufacturer Vestas will supply, install and commission all 35 of its V162-6.2 MW turbines earmarked for the project.

Colin Maclean, director at RJ McLeod’s north office, said: “We’ve jointly delivered 15 onshore wind projects with SSE Renewables, such as the recent Viking on Shetland and the previous Strathy North, and we’re delighted to be working together again on this important energy asset.”

Scottish Government ministers granted planning consent for the Strathy South project in late 2021.

Proposals to develop a 77-turbine wind farm at the site were first submitted by SSE to the Scottish Government in 2007. Following consultee feedback, the design was altered to cut turbine numbers to 39 to reduce environmental impact, particularly on peatland and birds, with amended plans submitted to the Scottish Government in 2013 and 2014.

Following a public local inquiry in 2015, Scottish ministers consented Strathy South in 2018. The project faced further obstacles, however, in 2019 when the closure of Ofgem’s Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROC) scheme to new onshore wind projects threatened the project’s investability.

In 2020, SSE applied to Scottish ministers to vary the existing 2018 consent with a 35-turbine plan to enable the project to progress. It is this final design, consented in 2021, that SSE is now taking forward to construction.

Heather Donald, director of onshore wind, solar and battery – SSE Renewables, said: “We are delighted to have started construction on Strathy South wind farm, which is another key project in our onshore portfolio and will see significant investment by SSE in the Scottish Highlands.

“The project will support full-time construction roles and the local supply chain during delivery and will contribute to the UK’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan once operational.”

UK energy minister Michael Shanks said: “It is great to see this latest milestone from SSE which is harnessing natural, renewable resources to power British homes and businesses and investing in the Highlands of Scotland.

“Delivering more onshore wind across the country is at the heart of our mission to becoming a clean energy superpower, creating highly skilled jobs, kickstarting growth and protecting households from future fossil fuel price shocks.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.