New SSE windfarm plan near Hadyard Hill has been submitted – Carrick Herald

Catherine Hunter, Reporter

An application from SSE to construct a windfarm adjacent to the existing
Hadyard Hill Wind Farm, near South Ayrshire, has been submitted.

It includes a proposal to construct 31 turbines, each with a generating
capacity of up to 3.4MW and height of 126.5m. The proposed turbines and
associated wind farm infrastructure lie to the south and north east of the
existing site and 6km east of Girvan.

Following extensive consultation and a review of stakeholder responses, SSE
have confirmed they will submit an application to remove nine turbines from
Hadyard in February. The third round of public exhibitions were held on
Wednesday, January 25 and Thursday, January, 26.

As well as proposing 22 turbines, other elements will include
hardstandings, crane pads, external transformers, underground cabling, new
access tracks, borrow pits (small onsite temporary quarries), met masts
(for measuring wind speed) and an on-site electricity substation and
control building.

Power generated by the turbines would be transferred via underground cables
to the onsite sub-station, which would then be connected to the national
grid at a yet to be determined point.

SSE propose that the main construction access route would be via the B734.
Turbine component deliveries (blades, towers and nacelles) would follow the
same route as used for the construction of the existing wind farm which is
from the Port of Ayr south on the A77 and then taking the B734 to the site
entrance.

Some minor public road improvements may be required to facilitate the
passage of the turbines which will be dependent on which turbines are
selected for the extension.

The construction phase is expected to take around 18 months and should
bring opportunities including employment and a boost to the local economy.
SSE have promised they will be many local opportunities and fair pay for
those working on the project.

SSE is the UK’s broadest-based energy company and the leading generator
from renewables in GB. They claim their core purpose is to provide the
energy people need in a reliable and sustainable way.
Headquartered in Scotland, they employ over 21,000 people with more than
7,000 currently based directly in Scotland.

SSE are involved in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply
of electricity and the production, storage, distribution and supply of gas
with around 10.5 Gigawatts of generation capacity.