A9 trial run will mark the start of turbine deliveries to Sutherland wind farm
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A TRIAL run from Nigg to Sutherland will mark the start of turbine component deliveries to the Gordonbush Expansion Wind Farm,
The turbine deliveries will run from the harbour at Nigg to the 11-turbine wind farm development, currently under construction around 9.5km north west of Brora.
In advance of the deliveries, there will be a trial run which is scheduled to leave the harbour after 9.30am on Wednesday, November 4.
Michael Scott, Gordonbush Extension project manager for site developer SSE Renewables, said: “Firstly, we would like to thank in advance, everyone who might be affected by the trial run and deliveries on the A9 and other local roads, for their patience and understanding.
“We’ve made good construction progress at the wind farm and we’re now looking forward to bringing the wind turbine components to site so that we can commence installation and start to generate clean wind powered electricity.
“The trial run on November 4 will be escorted by Police Scotland and with their help, we will test the road network ahead of actual deliveries which we expect to begin before the end of November.
“Obviously we will do everything we can to minimise disruption but we’re sorry for any extended journey times that road users may experience.”
In recent weeks, the company has carried out work along the turbine delivery route from Nigg to the wind farm, to prepare for the deliveries.
During the trial run, specialist abnormal load hauliers will simulate the delivery of a 63.5m turbine blade to ensure that the route is ready.
The delivery vehicle will have a specialised trailer which will be extended to its maximum length. The trailer will have a device mounted from the rear, to mimic the over-sail of the blade.
While final dates and times are yet to be confirmed, when deliveries do start, one convoy of up to three abnormal load vehicles will take place each day, Monday to Saturday. The deliveries are expected to continue until early in 2021, with a break over the Christmas holidays.
Confirmed dates and times for the deliveries will be published and updated regularly as soon as this information is available via the project website www.sserenewables.com/gordonbushextension and the dedicated Twitter feed @GBXdeliveries .
