Renewable energy company Eneco UK (Eneco) has submitted a section 36
planning application to the Scottish Government for the 18-turbine Macritch
Hill Wind Farm development at the Backwater Reservoir in Glen Isla.
If agreed, it will help to reduce Scottish Water’s electricity bill as it
has the capacity to potentially generate 138GWh of electricity annually.
Since Eneco was awarded the rights to explore the wind farm development in
2012, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and technical surveys to
determine the scale and design of the proposed wind farm have been carried out.
Extensive public consultations, including three rounds of public
exhibitions in the area, have also been held to help understand the
community’s wider needs and concerns.
The final design incorporates changes made as a result of feedback from the
community, and results from the EIA and technical surveys.
These include reducing the number of turbines from 33 to 18, and dropping
the blade tip heights to reduce visual and landscape impacts.
Should the development be approved, Eneco has confirmed a community benefit
package of £5,000 per MW per year during the project’s lifetime.
Following consultation, the plans also take into consideration management
and enhancement of the local area.
Daniel Badcock, Eneco development manager, said: “From the outset it has
been our aim to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the local community
and stakeholders.
“Results from the Environmental Impact Assessments and technical surveys,
and feedback received during the consultation process, have allowed us to
shape the overall design of the Macritch Hill Wind Farm.
“We hope that as many residents and members of the public as possible
register their views about the Macritch Hill Wind Farm once the
consultation phase begins.”
Chris Toop, Scottish Water’s General Manager for Energy said: “In providing
essential services to our customers, Scottish Water requires a significant
amount of energy. Increasing the amount of renewable energy generated on
suitable sites or land can help us reduce our electricity bill for the
benefit of our customers.
“In the last two years, Eneco has led an extensive stakeholder and
community engagement exercise into the potential of this project.
“All factors have been taken into consideration and helped inform
development of the planning application which has now been submitted.”
The application, plans and the Environmental Statement are available to
view at Kirriemuir ACCESS and Community Police Office and at Kirriemuir,
Forfar, Alyth and Blairgowrie libraries.
0 Comments