Green light from The Scottish Government for Tom nan Clach Wind Farm redesign

Earlier today the Gurn received the follwing press release from Infinergy:

Tom nan Clach, a project of renewable energy company Infinergy has been given the green light by the Scottish Government on appeal for its application to ‘repower’ the consented Tom nan Clach Wind Farm on Cawdor Estate. This new proposal is a redesign of the consented scheme, which will utilise recent technology gains to help increase the predicted renewable energy output from the site by 26% with 4 fewer, slightly larger turbines.

Tom nan Clach Wind Farm was consented in 2013 comprising 17 turbines, each with an installed capacity of 2.3MW, but a grid connection date no earlier than 2018. Wind turbine technology and design principles have evolved and improved a great deal in the last couple of years and so, given the time available between consent and connection to the grid, the site has been subject to further research and environmental studies. An application to ‘repower’ with 13 slightly larger turbines, but the same overall installed capacity of 39MW was made to The Highland Council in August of last year. 

Esbjorn Wilmar, Managing Director of Infinergy commented: “We are delighted with this decision. The redesign will increase the renewable electricity generated on the site by approximately 26%, using fewer turbines and their associated infrastructure. We started construction of the wind farm’s access tracks this summer and we are thrilled that it will be the better project that gets to be built on this fantastic site for wind energy.” 

Mr Wilmar added: “Maximising output from the site will make an important contribution to the renewable energy targets that have been set by the Scottish Government as part of policy to ensure greater diversity and security of electricity supplies as well as providing the Government’s recommended £5000 per megawatt to the surrounding communities, investing almost £5 million pounds over the life of the development and I am delighted that The Scottish Government has recognised this opportunity.”

Last year following the first allocation round of Contracts for Difference in the UK, Infinergy secured a contract for its 39MW Tom nan Clach Wind Farm, providing the company with the necessary security to build out the development and construction work for the wind farm started this summer.

Fraser Grieve, Regional Director at the SCDI commented: “the SCDI welcomes investment in projects in Highland. Such investment brings benefits in the form of employment and opportunities for local sub-contractors and others providing goods and services. This decision is hugely positive not just for this development but for the wider economy and drive to harness the renewable potential we have here.”