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The questions and answers that follow provide a useful insight into our approach to minimising impact.
What impact will there be on traffic?
Eneco aims to minimise any disruption as much as possible, however during construction there will obviously be more construction vehicles in the area than usual. The peak vehicle movements generated during the construction of the wind farm would be 68 vehicles per day.
It is estimated that the maximum delay to traffic caused by the delivery of abnormal loads would be approximately 16 minutes. The average time that any vehicle would be delayed is likely to be about 8 minutes.
The vast majority of these movements will be on the trunk roads in the area, thereby minimizing impacts on local road users.
How long will construction take?
The wind farm will take approximately 18 months to construct. The wind farm should be complete by the end of 2013. Activities will largely be 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.
How will access be gained to the site?
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.
What colour will the turbines be?
The turbines will be painted a pale grey colour. A semi-matt colour reduces the distance over which the turbines are visible, especially in dull weather or low light conditions.
How tall will the turbines be?
The turbines will be 125m tall, with a maximum hub-height of 80m.
Will the wind farm provide any jobs?
There will be direct local employment during the construction period, many of whom will be local construction contractors, as well as ongoing contract opportunities on a smaller scale during the operational phase supplying goods and services.
Are there opportunities for local businesses?
Eneco will endeavor to get as many local contractors and suppliers involved as possible and intend to commence the procurement programme for this project in early 2011. This includes placing the order for the wind turbines and tendering the balance of plant contracts.
What happens when construction is complete?
Once the site has been commissioned, construction teams will demobilise from the site and the wind farm left to produce clean sustainable renewable energy for the next 25 years. Maintenance of the site will occur approximately on a fortnightly basis, utilising skilled wind turbine engineers.
