The Glenurquhart and Strathglass Wind Energy Project

To combat the effects of climate change the UK government has set a target of 15% of UK electricity to be produced from renewable sources by 2015. There is a major opportunity for windpower in the Highlands to contribute to this aim and at the same time boost the economy of the region.

While a number of communities in the Highlands & Islands have undoubtedly benefited financially from having a wind energy scheme on their doorstep, the major financial benefits have tended to go outwith the communities and the region itself. The Glenurquhart & Strathglass Wind Energy Project seeks to redress this imbalance:

'It is the wish of the promoters of the project that all investors in the project will be from Glenurquhart and Strathglass or have connections to the area and ideally to live in the Highlands and Islands. This would be a first for the Highlands for a project of this size.'

Development Team

• Project Co-ordinator - Mike Girvan
• Project Design - Richard Gauld, Orkney Sustainable Energy
• Landowners at Corrimony - Lindsay & Mamie Girvan

The Project

The development site is at the head of Glen Urquhart at a height of 455m above sea level on farmland owned by the Girvan family. The scheme proposes to build five 2MW turbines yielding an annual output close to 27,500MWh - an effective reduction of some 3000 tonnes of carbon compared to other generating methods. The turbines will be approximately 100 feet tall and set 250m apart. They will be a minimum 5km from neighbouring properties and their situation will minimse visual impact.

The turbines connect to the National Grid at Fasnakyle Power Station in Strathglass some 6km from the site. It is proposed that the High Voltage and associated telecommunications cables will be routed entirely underground. The estimated cost of the project is £13 million (June 2009).

Consultation

The Project Development Team have been keen to minimise the impact on both the environment and the local communities. Hence, sensitive issues have been to the fore during the consultation process and the team have actively engaged with all interested parties inluding:

Glen Urquhart & Strathglass Community Councils; The Highland Council; RSPB; Historic Scotland; Scottish Natural Heritage; Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.

Objectives

The Project will provide a number of social and economic benefits for the community to include:

• Local control due the landowners/community being majority shareholders
• Soirbheas, the community company, will have access to funds for community projects
• Finance available to develop further 'green' projects
• Local employment opportunites during construction and maintenance phases
• The opportunity to inject £20 million into local community over 20 years following construction
• Upwards of £200,000 per annum avaialble for community based products

Technical Description and Environmental Study

The full technical description and environmental study being submitted with the planning application can be viewed by clicking on the links below relating to the individual sections. All the files are in pdf format and please note the files are quite large and may therefore take some time to download on slower connections:

Volume 1:
Section 1: Non-Technical Summary and Project Description
Section 2: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Section 3A: Ecology
Section 3B: Appendix 1 Vegetation Tables
Section 3C: Appendix 2 Mammal Survey Reports
Section 3D: Appendix 3 Bird Tables
Section 3E: Appendix 4 Designated Sites
Section 3Fi: Appendix 5a Vegetation Maps & Target Notes
Section 3Fii: Appendix 5b Mammal Maps & Photos
Section 3Fiii: Appendix 5c_Bird Maps
Section 4: Archaeology
Section 5: Geology, Superficial Deposits and Hydrology
Section 6: Environmental Health Studies Noise and Shadow Flicker Assessment
Section 6A: Access Roads and Crane Platforms
Section 6B: Site Access Roadworks, Road and Site Maps
Section 6C: Transportation
Section 6D: Carbon Balance Calculation
Volume 2:
Site Plans, Drawings and Photomontage Images