West Coast Energy - Cushnie Wind Energy

Cushnie Wind Energy

Cushnie Wind Energy is a joint venture between Falck Renewables Ltd and RDC Scotland.  Falck Renewables are a leading European Wind Energy Company with operations in Spain, France and Italy as well as the UK.  Founded in 1996 RDC has been one of the most successful developers of wind projects in the last few years.  The company has offices in Wales and Scotland.  Jointly, Falck Renewables Ltd and RDC have 300MW of wind projects in development in Scotland, Wales and England.  Boyndie Wind Farm near Portsoy in Aberdeenshire is the nearest operational Wind Farm developed by Falck and RDC Scotland.

The proposal at Cushnie is for 10 - 21 MegaWatt wind farm consisting of seven 125 metres (to the tip/80m to the hub) turbines which will connect into the National Grid at the substation near Westfield.

A planning application was lodged with Aberdeenshire Council on the 28th January 2008.  The Planning Application (Volume 1), Environmental Statement Text (Vol 2), Technical Appendices (Vol 4) and Non Technical Summary (NTS) can now be downloaded from this website from the Downloads & Links page.  Unfortunately Volume 3 which contains all the photomontages and other figures is simply too big to download.  It, along with the rest of the Environmental Statement is available on CD from Atmos Consulting, 24 Longman Drive, Inverness, IV1 1SU at a cost of £30.

Latest News

Following consultation responses in relation to the Environmental Statement from a range of statutory consultees Cushnie Wind Energy Ltd has submitted a volume of 'Supplementary Environmental Information' (SEI) to Aberdeenshire Council in late February 2009.   The document will be advertised locally and those that want to make additional comment to Aberdeenshire Council on the proposal will have several weeks to do so, via mail or the website link below.  Comments that have been submitted on the original application will remain valid and do not need to be repeated.  Unfortunately the size of the document file precludes a download here but it will be available on the Aberdeenshire Council website at:  

http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/apps/detail.asp?ref_no=APP/2008/0237  

Copies of the SEI will be available to view at the following locations: The Post Office in Tarland, Alford Library and the Planning Office in Stonehaven. It is also available on CD from Atmos Consulting, 24 Longman Drive, Inverness, IV1 1SU at a cost of £30.

The SEI covers all topics raised by statutory consultees and refreshes the the planning chapter in light of the latest policy changes to stimulate renewable energy generation as a means to address climate change.   Topics covered include: ecology, ornithology, hydrology (including Private Water Supplies), transport, cultural heritage, telecomms, landscape, operational safety and public access.

The Proposal

Cushnie was selected as a potentially suitable site for a wind energy development for a number of key reasons:
  • Strong wind resource (monitorinig currently ongoing)
  • No local or national natural heritage designations on the site
  • Existing grid line with capacity runs very close to site
  • Sufficient set back from properties
  • Feasible transport access.

Site design process

From an original concept, the project has been subject to considerable design input to minimise the environmental impact whilst maximising the environmental benefits. The following important constraints have now been taken into account in the design process:
  • Landscape and visual impact
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Goshawk flightlines and other Ornithological interests
  • Telecommunications links
  • Watercourses and Water supply

Community Benefits

The project will provide local benefits, including:
  • Local employment and contracts where possible during construction and on-going maintenance.
  • Contributions to local charitable trusts
  • If the wind farm is granted planning permission, a charitable trust would be established to administer the money which the wind farm developer (Cushnie Wind Energy Ltd) would donate to the local community every year when the wind farm is operational. The amount donated will relate to the capacity of the wind farm and will be in the region of £2000 per megawatt of installed capacity per annum. The trust would be administered locally. The money would be available for local social and environmental improvements and the trust would decide how the money is spent.
  • The opportunity to “buy into” the windfarm through the creation of a local co-operative similar to the award winning Boyndie windfarm near Portsoy whereby individuals can own a share in the venture.

Decommissioning

Before construction begins, arrangements will be made with Aberdeenshire Council for decommissioning and reinstatement works.

After construction, the wind farm would be operated for up to 25 years. At the end of this time, the wind farm will be decommissioned and the land returned to its previous state. Wind farms are a truly reversible form of energy development!

Programme
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON SEI MARCH/APRIL 2009
PLANNING COMMITTEE DECISION JUNE 2009*
 
 
*This date could vary and is for the Council to choose.
Should planning permission be granted:  
INITIAL SITE WORK 2009
CONSTRUCTION WORK 2010
OPERATIONAL WIND FARM 2010

 
 

 
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