And thanks for coming along today to our public exhibition.

Transcription

1 Welcome And thanks for coming along today to our public exhibition. We d like to show you our plans, so you can see what we ve got in mind and tell us what you think. However you feel about wind farms, your opinion really does matter to us. Rheidol Wind Farm. For illustrative purposes only.

2 Who are we? Five million people get their electricity and gas from us at home and at work, making us one of the UK s top energy companies. We re also helping to shape the energy industry of tomorrow and create secure, sustainable energy supplies for future generations. We have 20 onshore and 3 offshore wind farms that together produce more than 400 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity. Why do we need onshore wind farms? Over the next 10 years, many of the older coal-fired and nuclear power stations in the UK will close, leaving the UK with a potential energy gap. We need to plan ahead and replace these stations with cleaner, more cost-effective energy sources like wind power. The UK is one of the windiest countries in Europe so we re well placed to make the most of this powerful natural resource. Scotland has the potential to lead the way when it comes to renewable energy and has set an ambitious target of generating the equivalent of 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by But wind farms aren t the only answer No single source of energy holds the answer to filling the gap on its own. That s why we re developing a range of ways to produce energy. Renewable sources like onshore, offshore wind and biomass will work alongside nuclear, gas and cleaner coal-fired power stations that can capture and store greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). We re also helping our customers to use less energy and lower their bills. Robin Rigg Wind Farm, Solway Firth. For illustrative purposes only.

3 Our plans for Allt Rubha Wind Farm We identified the Allt Rubha site, which is approximately three miles south of Ardrishaig, as a possible site for a new wind farm, following Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) awarding us the right to explore the potential for new wind energy projects on two areas of land, within the Scottish National Forest Estate. Our early studies have shown the area s wind resources and connections to the national electricity network make it a good place for a wind farm. After listening to community feedback we re now changing the name of our proposed Inverneill Wind Farm to Allt Rubha Wind Farm, after a watercourse that runs across the site. Cruach Brenfield Creag a Mhadaidh Cnoc nam Muc A83 Brenfield Allt Eoin Mhoir B8024 KNAPDALE Allt Rubha Cruach Mheadhonach A83 Inverneill Key Druim Reigh Land available for associated development Land available for turbine development Site of special scientific interest excluded from land available for turbine development Map not to scale. For illustrative purposes only.

4 Our studies We re working closely with relevant national and local organisations such as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Argyll & Bute Council to make sure our environmental studies include everything they need to. Our independent environmental consultants have carried out a range of studies to see what impact the wind farm could have on the environment. So far, our studies have shown there are several things we need to think about when it comes to working out where the turbines should go, including the terrain, landscape and birds. We ll include the results of all our studies in our Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as part of our planning application, which will be available to view at various places within the local community. We have a meteorological (met) mast installed on the site, which we use to collect information about the wind and weather. This information will help us to put the turbines in the best place. We ve used noise monitoring equipment to see if the wind farm could potentially affect those living close to the site. From this, we ve been able to design a wind farm that ensures we re a good neighbour and stay well within noise limits. For illustrative purposes only.

5 How the wind farm could look Thanks to feedback we ve had from the local community and the results of our studies so far, we ve developed a suggested layout for the wind farm, showing where the turbines could go. We ve also produced visuals so you can see what this layout would look like from key viewpoints suggested by local people. We re keen to hear what you think of our plans along with any questions, concerns or suggestions you may have. Rampion Wind Farm public exhibition.

6 Bringing the turbines to site We ve worked out a possible route for bringing the wind turbines to the site, which can be difficult because of their size. You can see the route on the map below. We plan to ship the wind turbines into the harbour at Campbeltown and then transport them by road along the A83. They will then leave the A83 to access the site at the junction with the B8024. Where we can, we ll use local companies with experience of transporting turbine components. We realise that any deliveries would have an affect on the surrounding community so we d like to hear your views on the route we ve got in mind. We d also like your feedback on things like the timing of turbine deliveries and speed restrictions on heavy goods vehicles near the wind farm site. This way we can put together a traffic management plan that addresses concerns and minimises the potential impact on the local community. Cruach Brenfield Cnoc nam Muc A83 Creag a Mhadaidh Brenfield Allt Eoin Mhoir KNAPDALE B8024 Allt Rubha Cruach Mheadhonach A83 Inverneill Druim Reigh Key Site boundary Access route Access off A83, under investigation Map not to scale. For illustrative purposes only. Meall Dubh To Campbeltown

7 Project timetable February 2013 We introduced early plans for the project to the local community, and submitted a scoping report to the Argyll and Bute Council. Autumn 2013 We produced a refined design layout and consulted with the local community through formal public exhibitions. March 2014 We prepare an Environmental Statement (ES). Summer/Autumn 2014 Argyll and Bute Council make a decision to either approve or reject our proposals Early 2013 We set up the first meeting of the Community Liaison Group (CLG) to provide two-way communications about the proposals during the development period. Spring/Summer 2013 We continued to formally consult on our initial design layouts and took comments into consideration where we could. February 2014 We took onboard community feedback and changed the name of the project. We held another Public Exhibition and completed further consultation. Spring 2014 We submit a planning application to Argyll and Bute Council If consent is granted, construction starts. Application for consent We ll be applying directly to Argyll and Bute Council for consent to build the Allt Rubha Wind Farm. Once we ve made our planning application, anyone with an interest in, or concern about the project, will have the chance to contact the Argyll and Bute Council to comment formally on our proposals. Deucheran Hill Wind Farm, in Argyll. For illustrative purposes only.

8 How we ve listened From the outset we ve tried to ensure that the local community have had opportunities to help inform and provide feedback on our proposals. We ve held public information days, set up a Community Liaison Group (CLG) and involved local people and organisations in design workshops so we can understand your views and concerns to consider them in our plans. Here are some of the things you ve told us, and what we re doing as a result. You wanted us to change the name of the Inverneill Wind Farm. We ve changed the name to Allt Rubha Wind Farm, after a watercourse found on the site. You were concerned about the turbines located on the South edge of the site. We ve designed a layout to minimise the visibility of the wind farm from the South edge. You were concerned about the combined environmental impact of wind farms in the area. As part of our EIA, we ll consider all wind farms within 35km of the site, whether they re up and running or in the planning stages. You wanted to see what the wind farm would look like from certain key locations like the hospital and Churchill House. Local community members showed our experts around the area to understand the importance of certain local viewpoints. These are being considered as part of our studies. St Breock Wind Farm. For illustrative purposes only. Haswell Moor Wind Farm. For illustrative purposes only.

9 What happens next In the coming months we ll be finishing off our bird surveys and peat studies as well as our wind and other environmental assessments. The results, along with your feedback, will help us finalise the best layout for the wind farm. The next step will then be to submit our planning application. Once we ve made our planning application, anyone with an interest or concern will have the chance to get in touch with the Argyll & Bute Council to comment formally on our proposal. At that time we ll let you know where you can view our application and how and when you can make comments. Scroby Wind Farm. For illustrative purposes only.

10 Working with your community We want to be a good neighbour and believe that involving local people from the outset of our plans is the best way to make sure the wind farm is sensitively designed and brings benefits to the area. That s why we ve set up a Community Liaison Group (CLG) to represent your views and we ll be working closely with the group throughout the planning process and beyond. If the wind farm goes ahead, we ll make an effort to use local companies wherever we can. We ll also set up a Community Benefit Fund and contribute up to 245,000 a year to support local community projects, throughout the wind farm s lifetime. That s around 5,000 for every MW of renewable electricity we generate. We d love to know how you think a Community Benefit Fund could help your area and how it should work. For example, at our Rosehall Wind Farm in Sutherland, Foundation Scotland manages the fund, with a panel of local people deciding how the money should be spent. But how we do things here is up to you. Getting involved with our Community Benefit Fund won t affect your right to have your say on our planning application at any time, whether you support the wind farm or not.

11 Have your say Your views are important to us and we welcome your comments on the Allt Rubha Wind Farm or any specific aspects of the project. If you have feedback, please make sure you give it to us before Monday 10 March 2014 so we can consider it in the design. To give us your feedback, you can get in touch with us by freepost, or freephone. Write to: Allt Rubha Wind Farm Freepost RRSE-KZCU-AZJL E.ON Westwood Way Westwood Business Park Coventry CV4 8LG Call: Freephone To keep up with the latest news from the wind farm, visit: eonenergy.com/alltrubha Please note that feedback given at the exhibition, are not representations to Argyll and Bute Council. Once we submit our application you ll have the opportunity to make a formal representation directly to Argyll and Bute Council.