Turbine storage site proposed in Thurso
A storage area for wind turbine components is being proposed between two housing estates at Pennyland in Thurso.
The 9.1-hectare temporary site would be located off the A836 north coast road, with a new junction created for access.
Components including blades of almost 80 metres in length will be stored at the site before being transported from Pennyland to the Strathy South site.
SSE Renewables has submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to Highland Council for the temporary laydown area close to the harbour at Scrabster.
Members of the public are invited to a drop-in exhibition in Thurso later this week and again next month where they can learn more about the proposals.
The company, which is developing the Strathy South wind farm approximately 12km from the village of Strathy in north Sutherland, won a 15-year contract in the Contracts for Difference allocation round in October last year. It expects construction of the wind farm to take place next year.
It says it has identified a suitable temporary location adjacent to the harbour area for the storage of turbine components, which will then be taken by road to the site. The wind turbine blades are the largest of the components, at 79.5 metres long.
In the PAN, SSE Renewables states: “The proposed development will broadly consist of a hardstand area to accommodate vehicle access, parking, loading and unloading, an office, 3 x crane set up areas and a main turbine component storage area.
“The site area will be approximately 9.1 hectares. The site would be required for a period of approximately two years, from the development stage to full reinstatement of the site.
“The Pennyland site provides the optimum location for a laydown area storage site due to its close proximity to Scrabster Harbour. A storage area close to the harbour will help to minimise disruption to the local road networks by limiting the number of main road closures required on the delivery route to the Strathy South Wind Farm.”
Two public exhibitions will take place at the Weigh Inn, Thurso, the first on Thursday, May 16 from 2pm-7pm, with the second on Wednesday, June 19, from 2pm-7pm.
The display board information will be available online from May 16.