Lochluichart Wind Farm

In November 2005 an application under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 was submitted to the Scottish Executive. The application at that time was for 43 x 3MW turbines with a total output of 129MW. The hub height was 80 metres with a maximum blade tip height of 125 metres.

This original scheme has been the subject of extensive consultation with a wide range of organisations including Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage. In addition representations made by community members have been assessed. As a result an amended application has been submitted to the Scottish Executive.

The wind farm is now reduced from 43 to 22 turbines in order to further minimise visual impact in the immediate area and to provide the opportunity to connect to the existing Mossford to Beauly 132 kV line. Click here to view a comparison of the original and amended turbine layouts.

The project will now have an output of approximately 66MW, enough electricity for approximately 37,000 homes*.

Over the 25 year life of the wind farm it is estimated that 1,500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, 43,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide and 13,000 tonnes of nitrogen oxide will be saved compared to a mix of national grid electricity generation sources.

The turbines will be a maximum of 125 metres high to the tip of the blades with a hub height of 80 metres and a rotor diameter of 90 metres. In addition to the wind turbines the wind farm will include an electrical substation, wind monitoring mast and access tracks.

A brief summary of the amended scheme is available in the downloadable Non-Technical Summary.


* This figure is based on a 30% load factor and an average annual domestic electricity consumption of 4700kWh.

The Site

The site is located on the higher land between Loch Glascarnoch and Loch Luichart approximately 18 km north-west of Dingwall, not far from the intersection between the A835(T) and the A832.  The land comprises mainly unenclosed grazed upland wet heath.

Grid Connection

The amended wind farm scheme would require a maximum power export of 66 MW. The existing 132 kV line between Mossford and Beauly carries the power from four existing hydro stations.

An independent review has been carried out and found that it would be feasible to upgrade the line. Local connection could then be made via an on-site substation and an underground line to the Mossford hydro power station west of Lochluichart.

A grid connection application has been made to National Grid with the intention of connecting into the existing Mossford to Beauly 132 kV line.

Ecology

Following consultation with relevant organisations, including Scottish Natural Heritage, the RSPB and Highland Council, ecological surveys have been commissioned and conducted on and around the site.

Bird surveys have covered seasonal visitors as well as those that nest locally including specific diver bird and grouse bird surveys.  In addition, specific surveys for water vole, otter, pine marten and badger have been carried out as well as a fisheries habitat survey.  Invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and mammals have been observed and recorded.

The results of those surveys have enabled the design of the renewable energy park to be refined to avoid areas that may impact on any sensitive habitat for bird, animal and/or plant species.

Neither Scottish Natural Heritage or the RSPB have objected to the original application on ecology grounds.

Visual impact

A landscape and visual assessment has considered the nature of the existing landscape and the scenic qualities in and around the proposed site in order to design a layout which minimises these impacts.

Photomontages and computer-generated ‘wireframes’ of the wind farm are available from a range of different viewpoints demonstrating varying levels of visibility. 

The revised scheme has, in particular, sought to reduce visual impact in areas closest to the project particularly from the northern end of the site. To see photomontages comparing the original and amended scheme click here.

Construction

Construction of the renewable energy park would last between 14 to 19 months with activities largely restricted to the site itself. It is anticipated that the wind farm will have a 25-year life, with removal of the wind turbines and associated equipment when operations cease.

The access route for construction traffic starts at Cromarty Firth Port at Invergordon and includes the local access road to the A9(T) Tomich Junction, the A9(T) to Tore roundabout and the A832(T) to the proposed site access on the northern end of the site near the Loch Glascarnoch Dam. The delivery of larger components will be subject to a range of mitigation measures in order to minimise delays on local roads.

Economic benefits

The construction of the Lochluichart wind farm a represents a £53 million investment and creates a wide range of contract opportunities for local businesses. An independent economic assessment predicts that there is the potential for up to £29 million of this figure to be spent in the Highlands and Islands region. There would be ongoing contract opportunities on a smaller scale during the operational phase.

It is estimated that between 80 and 100 people would be directly employed during the 14 to19 month construction period.

Communities

Infinergy is proposing to establish a community fund equivalent to £2,000 per MW installed per year (approximately £132,000 per year or £3.3 million over the 25 year life of the wind farm).

The intention is that the fund will be independently managed by trustees drawn from the local community and allocated to a range of causes and initiatives

Further Information
Further information on the revised proposals for Lochluichart are given in the Environmental Statement Addendum. This document provides a description of the project and predicts the positive and negative environmental impacts that will arise, ranging from issues such as noise to visual impact. Copies of the Environmental Statement Addendum are available for public inspection at the Highland Council offices in Dingwall and Inverness, together with a number of local post offices. Copies can also be purchased by telephoning LZN on 01202 856800.

A Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement Addendum is available for downloading below. This document provides a simple summary of the scheme in a non-technical language.