November 24, 2021
Scotland

Caithness wind farm plan would add 12 turbines to existing cluster of 52

By Alan Hendry | John O'Groat Journal | 23 November 2021 | www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk

Plans have been lodged with the Scottish Government for a 12-turbine wind farm near Westerdale.

If the proposed Tormsdale Wind Farm goes ahead it will add to an existing cluster of 52 turbines in the surrounding area.

The development, some 1500 metres south of Westerdale bridge, is being managed by Lomond Energy for Swedish wind power company Arise.

The site is immediately west of the existing Causeymire Wind Farm and approximately 8.5 km south of Halkirk. The 12 turbines will have a maximum tip height of 149.9 metres, and the plans include associated infrastructure including a battery energy storage system.

The proposed capacity of the development is expected to be 80 megawatts, including some 25 MW from the battery energy storage system.

The developers estimate that the energy output of Tormsdale will be at least 50 per cent of the combined output of the existing Causeymire, Achlachan, Bad á Cheò and Halsary wind farms.

Onshore developments above 50 megawatts are determined by Scottish Government ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act.

The application has been submitted to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit, while Highland Council is a principal consultee.

The developers say: “All aspects of the development have been designed to minimise environmental impacts… The wind farm has been designed to allow the scheme to sit coherently alongside the existing wind farm developments.”

The application and environmental impact assessment can be viewed on the Tormsdale Wind Farm website.

Meanwhile, in what could be the precursor to another onshore wind development, Energiekontor UK Ltd has applied to Highland Council for permission to erect a temporary 80m anemometer mast on land 1815 metres north-west of Achorn House, Dunbeath.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2021/11/24/caithness-wind-farm-plan-would-add-12-turbines-to-existing-cluster-of-52/