David Ross
The two tallest wind turbines in Scotland, more than three times the height
of Edinburgh’s Scott Monument, could soon be floating four miles off the
north coast, if ministers approve the development.
But residents in one fragile Highland community fear the giant yellow
structures, could make the already difficult task of holding on to their
population and attracting new people, even harder by damaging views of Orkney.
Hexicon AB, a Swedish design and engineering house developing floating
multi-turbine platforms, submitted an application to the Scottish
Government in October seeking a licence to construct and operate its
Dounreay Trì Floating Wind Demonstration Project. The two turbines would be
on a single floating platform located approximately four miles off the
former nuclear plant in the waters of the Pentland Firth.
The company is considering three different turbines. The tallest would
reach nearly 660ft (201m) to blade tip, which would dwarf the highest
(459ft) at UK’s largest windfarm, Whitelee near Glasgow. The two offshore
turbines (651ft) at the Beatrice oil field, 16.5 miles off the east coast
of Caithness would also be smaller.
During construction it would create nearly 200 jobs spread between Nigg on
the Cromarty Firth and Caithness.
The final decision will be taken by ministers, but yesterday Highland
Council, a statutory consultee, debated whether to raise an objection.
The developers had indicated to the council that they currently thought a
small version of the turbine would be more appropriate, but at almost
604ft, still three times the Scott Monument. Councillors were told that
they had to work on the basis of “the worst case scenario” which would be
660ft. However the meeting decided against raising an objection,
disappointing some in the far north.
As this has raised serious issues for one Sutherland community, Melvich,
which has around 300 residents on the north coast near the mouth of the
River Halladale.
The local community council said the developers of the existing wind farm
in the area, SSE’s Strathy North, as well as the proposed Strathy South
wind farm had shown “a good level of consideration for the impact these
turbines would have on the views of those who both live and visit the area.”
However in contrast the developers of Dounreay Trì had shown no such
consideration, the community council submission said, and continued:
“The appeal for a number of residents who have moved to our area are the
uninterrupted views across to Orkney. Should this proposal be approved the
turbines, being of such a significant height, will have a substantial
impact on these views. We expect this would put off any individuals who
were considering moving to Melvich and (nearby) Portskerra in the future.”
The community council said that it had been noted that wind farms could
have a huge impact on the house prices in the areas to which they are
visible. In a village like Melvich, that could prove very damaging, the
submission argues and concludes “We would ask that sensitivity to the above
concerns of our village be taken into consideration when making a decision
on this proposal.”
Local mother Tina Wrighton, told the Herald the clear feeling was these two
giant turbines could only damage local interests: “As it is we are
currently under threat of losing both our local school and care home in the
future. So any drop in local house prices would make the fight even harder
to maintain a viable community, ” she said.
But conservationists welcomed the project’s progress. WWF Scotland director
Lang Banks said
“This proposal still has a few planning process steps to go through.
However, successfully developing floating turbines could enable Scotland
and other nations to secure even more clean power from offshore wind in the
future.”
Meanwhile Lindsay Roberts, Senior Policy Manager at industry body Scottish
Renewables, said “Projects like this one are part of a new chapter for our
renewable energy industry.”
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