A renewable energy developer has pledged that two new wind turbines in the centre of Caithness will have “minimum impact” on the surrounding area.
UK-based Wind2 is seeking permission to build Swarclett Wind Farm on agricultural land approximately one kilometre south-east of Mains of Durran.
Community benefit will include a scheme to help reduce electricity costs for residents.
The planning application appeared on Highland Council’s website on Monday, with 158 associated documents.
The application is for two turbines, each with a blade-tip height of up to 149.9m, and a battery energy storage system with a total installed capacity of approximately 21.6 megawatts and associated infrastructure.
Opponents in the Bowertower area are concerned that 10 properties will be within 1500 metres of the wind farm and four properties will be even closer, at around 800m.
Wind2 says Swarclett will have the capacity to generate approximately 66,000 MWh of electricity annually, enough to meet the needs of around 17,000 homes, while offsetting some 6000 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Public consultation took place in July 2023, February 2024 and March 2024 with exhibitions in Bower and Castletown. The company says feedback from the consultation process “has helped inform the final proposed design”.
Wind2 project manager Hannah Brown, who is based on the Black Isle, said: “I am pleased to present this project to the Highland Council planning team for consideration.
“It has been developed over a number of years with various environmental assessments conducted to ensure there is minimum impact from the development.
“We look forward to engaging with groups and individuals further to discuss community benefit packages, including the provision of a scheme to aid in the reduction of electricity costs to local residents.”
Mrs Brown pointed out that the project will provide economic benefits for residents including a community benefit fund worth £48,000 a year.
It is proposed that those living closest to the turbines will be offered the chance to claim up to £600 a year as a contribution towards their electricity bills. Residents “will also be given the opportunity to capitalise the contributions to assist with funding the decarbonisation of properties, e.g. installing solar panels or a heat pump”.
Wind2 says there will also be other benefits to the landowners, “who, as local farming families, will have the opportunity to diversify and help cross-subsidise their existing farming operations, including creating suitable habitats for wildlife such as installing ponds and planting trees”.
Campaigners from No to Swarclett have called the turbines “monstrosities” that will have an unacceptable impact in terms of visual impact and noise. Last month another group, Save Caithness, branded the proposals “inexcusable”.
The application documents, including the environmental impact assessment report can be viewed on the Highland Council website.
There is also a Swarclett Wind Farm website.
Hard copies of the documents are available for inspection in person at Caithness House, Highland Council’s offices in Wick town centre.
Although the planning application only appeared on the council website on January 6, its “validated” date is given as December 12. This is being queried by Wind2.
Comments can be made about a planning application within 21 days of the date it was registered with the council, the date when neighbours were notified or the date advertised by the local authority, whichever is later.
Save Caithness was established last summer to help communities fight large-scale energy developments in the county. It was instigated by Tony Shaw, one of a number of residents in the Bowertower area opposing Swarclett Wind Farm.
Save Caithness has warned that the Swarclett application is of “huge significance in terms of what might follow”.
In its December newsletter, the group stated: “The application for two 150m turbines right in the faces of the tiny community of Bowertower residents is inexcusable.”