Bettyhill Wind Farm Phase 2
UPDATE OCTOBER 2024
Grid connection route - PUBLIC CONSULTATION
We will be submitting a planning application to The Highland Council for the cable route which will connect Bettyhill Wind Farm Phase 2 to the electricity substation at Dounreay, later this year.
We have held a number of consultation events: in Bettyhill in April and October, in Reay in July, and online.
Feedback will be taken into account where feasible in the planning application we submit. Please see our contact details at the bottom of the page.
The materials from our events can be accessed below:
Key facts - grid route
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
The key consultation materials can be accessed via the link above. Your feedback is invited and we welcome any questions. To receive our information by post, please get in touch by phone or email.
Planning Application- wind farm
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 - wind farm
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
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.
Up to 20% community shared ownership through Farr North Community Development Trust
Peat restoration across the site and wider estate to sequester carbon and boost local biodiversity
Proposed cable route Bettyhill wind farm
Bettyhill Phase 2 Wind Farm layout
*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.
Public Consultation - february 2023
In February 2023 we held two drop-in information events in Bettyhill and Durness to display the final design and answer questions.
The exhibition boards are available to download from here.
A hard copy of the Non-Technical Summary is available from SLR Consulting Limited in Edinburgh, Tel: 0131 335 6830
GET IN CONTACT
If you would prefer to receive our information by post, or have any other questions or concerns, please get in touch with us at communityUK@edenrenewables.com or by phone at 07979 368238.