Irish utility is behind Sutherland wind farm plan
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An application has been submitted to the Scottish Government Consents Unit for a 37-turbine wind farm on Garvary and Achinduich Estates.
The18-km site of upland moorland selected for the Garvary Wind Farm is located east of the A836 and some 4.5km north of Lairg, and 5.5km south of Bonar Bridge.
The planned turbines would measure up to 180m to blade tip.
Two power companies have come together to progress the development – Coriolis Energy and Electricity Supply Board Asset Development (ESB), which is Ireland’s part state owned electricity utility company.
Initially 48 turbines were proposed but the number was reduced following public consultation exercises held in September 2019.
The wind farm would have an installed capacity of 222mw – under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 developments about a 50mw threshold have to be referred to the consents unit.
However, Highland Council will decide whether to oppose or support the wind farm and the application is currently available to view in the authority’s eplanning site. No public representations had been lodged regarding the wind farm earlier this week.
Developers have pledged a £5000 per mw community benefit fund along with a development officer fund and the possibility of shared ownership.
The wind farm would fall within the Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries catchment area.
According to papers lodged with planners, the local fisheries group has been alerted to the application by Fisheries Management Scotland a statutory consultee.
