Tormsdale Wind Farm developers committed to improving broadband and energy efficiency
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The developers behind a proposed 12-turbine wind farm near Westerdale say they are committed to providing "tangible local benefits" including better broadband and improved energy efficiency in local housing.
They also believe the recent COP26 conference has strengthened support for renewable energy and insist "it’s important to put words into action" in the face of the climate emergency.
If the proposed Tormsdale Wind Farm goes ahead it will add to an existing cluster of 52 turbines in the surrounding area.
The development, some 1500 metres south of Westerdale bridge, is being managed by Lomond Energy for Swedish wind power company Arise.
The site is immediately west of the existing Causeymire Wind Farm and approximately 8.5 km south of Halkirk. The dozen turbines will have a maximum tip height of 149.9 metres, and the plans include battery storage to be located in a former sand and gravel pit adjacent to the site control room.
The proposed capacity of the development is expected to be 70 megawatts.
The developers estimate that the energy output of Tormsdale will be at least 50 per cent of the combined output of the existing Causeymire, Achlachan, Bad á Cheò and Halsary wind farms.
The application has been submitted to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit, while Highland Council is a principal consultee. Onshore developments above 50 megawatts are determined by Scottish ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act.
Lomond Energy director Steve Macken said: "The 12 Tormsdale turbines will increase renewable energy output of the existing cluster totalling 52 turbines by 50 per cent, showing how technology has moved on over the years since the original Causeymire Wind Farm was built.
"Covid restrictions prevented us from actually meeting the public during the development and design phase over the past year, but we held a couple of online public meetings earlier in the year and local folk have contacted us directly via the project website.
"We are committed to providing tangible local benefits. Improving local broadband and energy efficiency in local housing came out as top local needs, which the project would be willing to support.
"COP26 appears to have reinforced support for renewable energy projects beyond an already high level, and it’s important to put words into action in dealing with the climate emergency.
"This project represents an addition of 12 turbines to a well-established wind farm location, most of which are located within former sand and gravel workings for which we have received positive local feedback."
Mr Macken added: "Onshore wind in Scotland needs to at least double in capacity over the next decade if we are to meet legally binding carbon reduction targets, in addition to all the offshore wind and other renewable technologies we need."
He pointed out that the Scottish Government is consulting on an additional 8-12GW of onshore wind capacity by 2030, a significant portion of which is expected to come from replacing old/end-of-life wind farms and expanding existing sites.
Arise’s head of development Jennie Hallgren said: “It has been a long haul to get to this stage where the project looks right, avoids sensitive features on the site, and above all takes account of views expressed by local residents and consultees alike.
"But we’re now happy that we have the right design in the right place, and expect it to complement the existing cluster of turbines within a long-established wind farm development location.
"We are proud to have filed our first project application in Scotland, and are steadily building a portfolio of other projects in support of the country’s ambitious decarbonisation commitments."
The application and environmental impact assessment can be viewed on the Tormsdale Wind Farm website.
Meanwhile, in what could be the precursor to another onshore wind development, Energiekontor UK Ltd has applied to Highland Council for permission to erect a temporary 80m anemometer mast on land 1815 metres north-west of Achorn House, Dunbeath.
