Bettyhill Wind Farm Phase 2

Bettyhill Wind Farm is designed to generate clean energy, contributing to Scotland’s carbon reduction and energy security targets, while respecting the surrounding landscape. A portion of the project will be owned by the local community, ensuring direct, long-term financial benefits for the area.

The application was granted planning consent by unanimous decision from the Highland Council on 26th February 2024. To view the decision notice and other planning documents please visit the Highland Council’s planning portal here; reference number 23/00142/FUL.

The location and layout of the wind farm can be seen on the maps (right).

You can download a copy of the Non-Technical Summary via this link.

KEY FACTS

• Excellent local wind speeds, well above average

• 10 turbines 

• Maximum blade-tip height of 149.9m

• Battery storage to bring combined maximum capacity to 49.9 MW 

• Expected life of 35 years

BENEFITS

• Up to 20% community shared ownership through Farr North Community Development Trust

• Total generation equivalent to typical annual usage of 44,000 homes*

• Will save 32,000 tonnes carbon pollution from fossil fuel generation**

• Community benefits equivalent to £5,000 per MW, index-linked (up to £250,000 pa, over £8.5 million over project lifetime)

  • 50% of the funds to Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra as host community

  • 50% to be shared with the six neighbouring community councils: Strathy & Armadale, Tongue, Durness, Kinlochbervie, Scourie and Melvich, in a proportion to be agreed by them.

  • Local electricity discount scheme for households and businesses saving up to £200 a year on bills for households, potentially saving £90,000 a year in power costs across the seven community council areas

  • Educational programme funding of £5,000, index-linked, per year for Bettyhill, Melvich and Tongue primary schools and Farr secondary school.

• Peat restoration across the site and wider estate to sequester carbon and boost local biodiversity

Grid connection route

An underground cable will connect Bettyhill Wind Farm Phase 2 to the electricity substation at Dounreay — see proposed route map on the right.

The cable will be adopted by a statutory undertaker with permitted development rights.

We held a number of consultation events during 2024 in Bettyhill, Reay and online.

• Grid capacity at Dounreay substation has been secured

• Predominantly in the road verge of the A836, from Bettyhill in the west to Dounreay in the east. Please see adjacent map.

• Approximately 32 km long

• Cables will be buried underground for the full length of the route

• Construction would be phased along the route to minimise disruption to road users

• One lane of the road would be kept open to ease traffic flow

• Signage, banksmen and lights will be used where appropriate to ensure safety

*Based on Eden’s forecast generation output and energy statistics provided by BEIS, which identify that average UK domestic household consumption is 3,748 kWh per annum (Dec 2021).  

**Based on the Scottish Government’s carbon calculator.