OREANDA-NEWS. SSE Renewables, the renewable energy development division of SSE, welcomes today’s decision by the Highland Council’s North Planning Committee to visit the site of the proposed Glencassley wind farm, north-west of Lairg.

The proposal, which is located approximately 6km north of Rosehall between the River Cassley and Loch Shin, lies wholly within the Highland Council’s ‘Area of Search for Wind Energy Development’ and is recommended for approval by planning officers.

Since an application for the 26 turbine scheme was submitted in July 2012, a recommendation has been received from the Highland Council to remove three turbines from the south of the site. Further discussion with the Council and key stakeholders has led to this recommendation being agreed, and the proposal reduced to 23 turbines with a total installed capacity of up to 69MW.

The site has been carefully selected and designed to minimise any impacts and visibility in the surrounding area with detailed surveys and assessments being undertaken over the last two years as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). It is located adjacent to existing energy infrastructure and would utilise existing tracks. The turbine heights have also been reduced from 135m to 126.5m and numbers halved from the original 47 turbine scoping design.

The Highland Council planning report agrees with SSE’s detailed wild land impact assessment that the project is acceptable, and that 'the best quality wild land would not be affected'. The proposed site has been extensively surveyed and the layout and construction plan does not impact on areas of deep peat.

Director of Onshore Renewables, Colin Nicol, said: “We welcome the committee’s visit to the proposed Glencassley site and believe that it will help to demonstrate the suitability of the site for wind farm development.

“Considerable care has been taken with the design and setting of the scheme and a wealth of environmental work has been undertaken to identify and reduce any potential impacts. In addition, feedback received has helped to shape the design, including the recent removal of three turbines from the south of the site, and there were no objections to the scheme from local community councils.

“Contrary to claims from some corners, the site is not high quality wilderness, and this is recognised in the planning report which states that ‘the best areas of wild land lie further to the west, where the development has no impact and therefore the best quality wild land would not be affected’.

“If consented, the scheme will deliver significant economic and employment opportunities to the local area, as well as other important benefits such as skills and training initiatives linked to our industry leading community investment programme*. This contribution to the local economy cannot be under-valued and we are pleased to be investing in an area where we already have a strong connection.”

As part of its responsible approach to renewable energy in the Highlands, SSE has made a clear statement of intent in a number of areas in order to help maximise the benefits of its projects in the Highlands. These include actively promoting new business opportunities to local companies and suppliers through its dedicated Highlands and Islands web portal at www.sseopen4business-highlands.com**; creating apprenticeships and skills opportunities for young people in the Highlands as evidenced by its strategic partnership with University of Highlands and Islands***; delivering best practice in environmental management during construction; and maximising local job opportunities.

SSE has a strong history in the Highlands and Islands, where it already employs around 2000 people, and is expected to invest between ?5-10bn in the region over the next ten years across its various business units. If consented, Glencassley would form part of this planned investment and make an important contribution towards the Scottish Government’s renewables targets.