August 4, 2014
Scotland

New windfarm planned at Loch Ness

By Jane Candlish | The Press and Journal | 4 August 2014 | www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Plans have been unveiled for a new windfarm on the hills above Loch Ness.

Coriolis Energy wants to build 14 turbines on the Dell Estate, near Whitebridge.

The devices would be 426ft high and the developer claims they would have the potential to generate a total of 42MW of electricity.

New tracks would also be created on the Monadhliath Mountains to provide access to the turbines.

The site is close to the reservoir serving SSE’s Glendoe hydro scheme.

The windfarm would also be adjacent to a site the energy giant has earmarked for a 67-turbine windfarm at Stronelairg.

According to documents submitted with the application, construction would take 18 months, with a maximum of 90 people working on the project.

A lengthy environmental statement has also been submitted.

The plans will now be scrutinised by Highland Council and other interested groups, including local community councils, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Water.

The developer originally wanted to erect 22 turbines, but altered its plans following concerns about the visual impact of the scheme.

It initially reduced the number to 16, but has now removed a further two turbines.

Harry Malyon, development director for Coriolis Energy, said: “We hope that people will look at the detail of the application. We have taken a great deal of care over the design to minimise the effects.

“We welcome the planning process as it allows people to make their own minds up on the application.”

When the plans were on display in 2012, residents welcomed the reduction in the number of turbines.

The application brings the number of consented or planned windfarms in the Loch Ness area to nine.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/08/04/new-windfarm-planned-at-loch-ness/