Norwegian state-owned energy company Statkraft drops long-standing plans for wind farm near Melvich
A RENEWABLE energy company has confirmed that it has completely dropped its plans for a wind farm near Melvich.
Statkraft has withdrawn its planning application for the 12-turbine Ackron Wind Farm, which was first proposed six years ago and has undergone a number of revisions since then.
A spokesperson said: “Due to a number of environmental constraints, Statkraft has decided against progressing the application for Ackron Wind Farm further and has withdrawn the application.
“We thank Melvich Community Council and Melvich SCIO, as well as the wider community, for their continued support throughout the development process.”
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The company, a utility wholly owned by the Norwegian state, first proposed a 14-turbine scheme in June 2019 but removed two turbines and moved the scheme further inland following reactions from the community and statutory bodies.
Its plan for a 12-turbine scheme was submitted to Highland Council in early 2021.
However, in April 2022, Statkraft withdrew the planning application, saying it wanted to resolve “a small number of concerns raised by some consultees”.
A revised planning application was submitted in December 2023 for an 11 wind turbine scheme with a possible battery energy storage system and ancillary infrastructure.
Statkraft said that the community benefit from the wind farm would be more than £7 million over the course of three decades.
The company, which has operated in the UK since 2006, is now proposing Collie Beith Wind Farm, an 11-turbine scheme to be located on land south of the River Oykel and about 15km south-west of Lairg.
