Welcome to Hoolan Energy s public exhibition for our wind farm proposal

Transcription

1 WELC ME Welcome to Hoolan Energy s public exhibition for our wind farm proposal This exhibition contains information about our plans for a wind development, including visualisations, potential access routes and the studies we ve undertaken to date. Please approach a member of the Hoolan Energy team if you have any questions about our proposals. We welcome feedback and this exhibition forms part of an on-going consultation process with the local community, which will continue up to and beyond the submission of a planning application. We hope that you find the information presented today helpful and thank you for taking the time to attend the exhibition. WHO EXPERTISE Hoolan Energy is a Scottish-based developer that specialises in the development of renewable energy projects in Scotland. We are based in Edinburgh and are a member of the Orkney Renewable Energy Forum. We are supported by Low Carbon, a UK company that owns and invests in renewable energy projects. Our experienced team has a strong track record in renewables and we are committed to the responsible development of renewable energy power production in Scotland. In wind as well as other renewables, Hoolan Energy can provide project management and development services for all aspects of a project, from very early stage feasibility studies right through to post consent. Coupled with Low Carbon s in-house team, which has a proven track record in project finance, procurement, construction and asset management, this makes for a rounded approach to development. We want to work with local communities to utilise our renewable energy sources to help meet Scotland s energy needs. As well as our wind projects in the UK, Hoolan Energy is also investigating tidal and energy storage projects. CONSULTATION We recognise the importance of engagement and consultation with the local community regarding our proposals. If consented, our project will be part of the community for 25 years and it is important that we understand the views of residents in the area and explain our proposals. It is important to us that local residents and communities are involved early in the process, which is why this exhibition is taking place so that we can take on board views before going forward with any future planning application. Orkney Coastline Wind Turbine in Orkney

2 Wind Power THE BENEFITS OF WIND POWER Investing in renewables and moving to low carbon technologies enables us to reduce emissions, and tackle climate change. This increases our energy security, at the same time creates employment, investment and education opportunities. The low carbon and renewable energy industry in Scotland currently provides an estimated 21,000 jobs and attracts over 900 million of annual investment into the Scottish economy. Renewables are now a major part of our energy mix, with technologies such as wind and hydro providing the equivalent of around half of Scotland s electricity needs. Figures released in March 2016 showed that over 57% of Scotland s electricity comes from renewables.* Orkney is leading the way and already has the capacity to produce over 100% of its electricity needs from renewables. * Department of Energy & Climate Change bulletin, Energy Trends: March WHY ORKNEY Orkney is one of the windiest places in Europe and has been at the forefront of the world s renewable energy development. John Brown Engineering of Glasgow developed an early wind turbine on Costa Hill in the 1950s and today the islands are leading the world in wave and tidal technology. However, it is clear that grid constraints for Orkney are a major barrier to all forms of renewables on the islands. As well as providing clean renewable energy, commercial scale wind is an established technology. As such, we believe Hoolan s projects have the ability to underpin a needs case for a new grid connection to the islands. This would unlock restrictions on existing projects, whilst attracting new investment and opportunities to the Orkney Islands. Orkney Coastline Orkney Seascape

3 Wind Turbines GRID The Orkney grid connection is currently connected to Caithness by two 33kV cables. These cables reach full capacity at times preventing any new electricity generators connecting - and curtailing existing generators output. In recent years this lack of capacity has stifled the development of renewable energy projects on the islands, especially in the marine sector. There are plans to lay a new 180MW cable to relieve the stress on the current system and allow new generators to connect. In order to achieve this, the regulator Ofgem must agree that a needs case (submitted by SSE) demonstrates there is sufficient demand and value to Orkney and the Scottish mainland alike. Transmission connected generators like ourselves help pay for this connection and currently it is estimated that our projects could be connected in Construction of a new grid cable to Orkney could provide a number of opportunities for firms and individuals on Orkney. A report carried out by Baringa in March 2016 entitled Economic Opportunities of Renewable Energy for Scottish Island Communities, provides the following information about the potential for renewable energy in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland: The islands could supply up to 5% of Britain s total electricity demand by With appropriate investment in grid infrastructure and generating assets, renewable energy deployment on these islands could grow rapidly to 1 gigawatt by the early 2020s with potential for a further 1.4 gigawatts nnby This could result in economic benefits up to 725 iiimillion (gross value added) for the island economies ii from 2015 to 2040 as a result of construction and operation iiiiof renewables generation. Of this, there could be community benefit payments totalling up to 230 million from owners of renewable energy projects direct to local communities. CONVERTING WIND INTO ENERGY (CP1) In addition, ownership revenues could total up to 390 In principle a wind turbine is a simplistic form of power production. Utilising the inherent power in the wind, the blades rotate and they in turn rotate a drive shaft connected via a gearbox to the generator which is housed in the wind turbine iiiiimillion for local communities by 2040 with equity stakes iiiiiin island generation projects producing a valuable iiiiiincome stream for island communities of up to 43 million a year at peak. hub. The generator produces a Direct Current (DC) which is cabled down the tower and to an onsite substation where it is converted to Alternating Current (AC) and exported into the local grid network. Extra employment could be generated, with up to 2,000 iiiijobs created in the respective peak development phases iiiof renewables projects across the islands. MAIN TURBINE COMPONENTS HUB MAIN SHAFT BRAKE GENERATOR GEAR-BOX TRANSMISSION HOUSING HIGH SPEED SHAFT BLADES TOWER

4 SITE LOCATION Hoolan Energy is considering the submission of a planning application for a five turbine scheme called Costa Head Wind Farm - the proposal is west of Costa Hill and north of Loch of Swannay. The project will consist of five turbines, each of which would be up to 125m in height to the blade tip. The Proposed Development is located on the northern coast of the Orkney Mainland at Costa Head and is shown within its wider context below. The site lies within gradually rising agricultural land adjacent to the coast. Site Attributes The area has excellent wind speeds for wind energy iiiigeneration The site has good access directly from the A966 It lies within a broad area of search for wind energy development identified by Orkney Islands Council s Draft Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance There are no international or national natural heritage iiiidesignations on site No aviation constraints have been identified OUTPUT PROPOSED TURBINE LAYOUT KEY Costa_Head_Development_Boundary The total installed generation capacity of this scheme would be up to 20.4 MW. If the wind farm performs as well as the Scottish average, it could produce electricity equivalent to the demands of approximately 12,215 households annually. We expect that this site will easily out-perform the Scottish average - one of the turbines at Burgar Hill is viewed as the best performing turbine in the United Kingdom. Turbine Location_Layout E Construction Compound Substation Internal Tracks T4 Crane Pads and Hardstanding T3 T2 T5 T1 * Costa Hill 66 A9 Currently a meteorological mast installed at the site is gathering accurate wind speed data to ensure more detailed predictions can be made of the potential yield that the wind farm could generate throughout its lifetime Scale 1: A3 y (Calibri, 5pt) KEY Costa Head Development Boundary Turbine Location Construction Compound Substation Internal Tracks Crane Pads and Hardstanding Infrastructure Layout Scale 1:7, A3 Environmental Statement Figure 1.2 Infrastructure Layout Orkney Coastline

5 PROPOSED TURBINE LAYOUT EVOLUTION The site of Costa Head Wind farm has been discussed over a number of years (see the Timeline section) and Hoolan Energy took over development in February Since then, we have taken a fresh look at the site, and carried out numerous environmental surveys to provide us with baseline data. A (pre-scoping) 6 Turbines Up to 126.5m to tip 90m rotor diameter B (scoping) Development of the current site and proposed layout has evolved over time. The turbine layout for the wind farm proposal has not yet been finalised but the map on the previous board gives an indication of our plans. 6 Turbines Up to 126.5m to tip 90m rotor diameter C (post-scoping) 6 Turbines Up to 125m to tip 82m rotor diameter To date there have been five main turbine layout iterations, involving different numbers and sizes of turbines, and different layouts within the site boundary. The different iterations have been driven by a combination of the identification of environmental constraints and consultation and engagement with key stakeholders. The initial iterations involved a much larger development boundary with as many as six turbines but as constraints have been identified, this has reduced to the five turbines proposed in the current iteration. D (post-scoping) 6 Turbines Up to 125m to tip 82m rotor diameter E (current) 5 Turbines Up to 125m to tip 105m rotor diameter A flow chart documenting all iterations is presented on this board. The selected design iteration layout maps show key changes to the proposed layout and how it has evolved over time. The current layout is presented as Option E. KEY DESIGN ITERATIONS Turbines Layout A Turbines Layout B B A Turbines Layout B C Turbines Layout C Turbines Layout D Proposed Turbine Scale D km 1:11000 Proposed Turbine 0 A : A /11/ CP Design Iterations Turbine Layouts A & B Crown copyright and database rights Ordnance Survey /11/ CP Design Iterations Turbine Layouts A & B Crown copyright and database rights Ordnance Survey Proposed Turbine E abase rights Ordnance Survey KEY Proposed Turbine Turbines Layout A KEY 0 Scale km A3 Design Iterations Turbine Layouts C, D & E hts Ordnance Survey /11/ CP Proposed Turbine Crown copyright and database rights Ordnance Survey Orkney Moorland

6 We are currently undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Costa Head, which is the formal process to identify and assess the effects that a development may have on the environment. The findings of an EIA are reported in an Environmental Statement which will outline how the assessment process led to the final project design, and describe the mitigation measures the applicant has committed to in order to reduce or offset any potential adverse environmental impacts. Once completed, the Environmental Statement (ES) will be made publically available as part of the planning application process. Several copies will be provided to Orkney Islands Council for public access at specified locations. The ES will also be available online via the Council s planning portal. An EIA Scoping Report was produced in April 2015, describing the methodology for assessing the various potential environmental impacts. This was submitted to Orkney Islands Council s Planning Department, which distributed it to statutory consultees. These included Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Historic Environment Scotland and others. Feedback has been received from the Council and these consultees, and taken into account in refining the survey and assessment methodologies. A summary of the environmental surveys and assessment work which is being carried out as part of the EIA is presented below: CULTURAL HERITAGE ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATION ORNITHOLOGY The cultural heritage assessment has considered direct impacts to receptors within the site and to impacts on the setting of cultural heritage receptors with views to and from the site. Consideration of onsite archaeological assets has been important in the layout iteration process to date, to ensure there are no direct impacts to known on-site assets. The ecology and nature conservation assessment evaluated impacts to habitats and species in and around the site area. Site work has included habitat and vegetation surveys and a dedicated otter survey. The findings have been taken into account in the layout iteration process to date, and measures will be identified to reduce and mitigate against any adverse effects that may potentially occur during construction, operation and decommissioning of the wind farm. The assessment of ornithological impacts and effects considers both resident and migratory species in combination with breeding seasons and feeding habits. Data was gathered from a combination of field surveys, database analyses and consultation with third parties including SNH, RSPB and the Orkney Raptor Study Group. VISUAL AND LANDSCAPE The potential impacts on the landscape and visual receptors have been assessed both locally and also on a much wider scale, with the full landscape and visual study area extending to 35 km from the proposed site. Studies have involved identification of areas from where the turbines may be visible, visiting and photographing views from numerous key viewpoints, and preparing photomontages and wireframe images to demonstrate how the turbines will look from these viewpoints.the potential impacts have been assessed by taking account of the sensitivity of views and landscapes, as well as the degree of change. Anticipated View from Mid Hill looking north-west to the site The visualisations shown here are indicative and the final position of turbines may change. Access tracks and other supporting infrastructure, although not shown at this stage, are part of the proposal. These visualisations have been generated using a computer model to help understand what the site might look like. Further updated visualisations following SNH guidance will be included in the Environmental Statement submitted with the planning application.

7 TRANSPORT TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND AVIATION SHADOW FLICKER A route assessment has been undertaken, to establish the most suitable route for delivering turbine components to the site, and for general construction traffic. It is anticipated that turbine components will be delivered to the site from Hatston Pier in Kirkwall. The potential impacts on the local road network will be fully assessed, and a Traffic Management Plan will be developed in consultation with Orkney Islands Council. Potential effects of the Proposed Development upon telecommunications and aviation stakeholders and infrastructure has been assessed through deskbased research and consultations with the relevant parties including the MoD, Civil Aviation Authority and mobile and digital operators and bodies. No significant constraints or impacts have been identified. A detailed study has been undertaken to assess the potential for shadow flicker to affect people in nearby homes, and to chart the predicted times and durations of these impacts. The findings have been taken into account in the layout iteration process to date. For the currently proposed layout, shadow flicker (based on a realistic scenario using met office data) shows that the potential impacts are well within best practice limits. SOCIO-ECONOMICS AND TOURISM GEOLOGY, HYDROGEOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY NOISE We recognise how important tourism is to the Orcadian economy, and the proposed development has been assessed in conjunction with its potential adverse and beneficial impacts on tourism in the area as well as the positive economic impacts it could have with regard to local businesses and local contractors. Consultation with relevant tourism agencies is ongoing, and Hoolan Energy will continue to work with the local community to maximise opportunities for positively impacting on the local and regional economy. The effects of the proposed development on geological deposits, surface watercourses, and groundwater, have been assessed via a combination of site survey work and desk study. No sensitive geological receptors have been identified, and peat is only recorded on Costa Hill, outside the proposed development footprint. No major rivers or water bodies are located within the site, and turbines are proposed to be located more than 200m from Loch of Swannay and more than 100m from the coast.orkney Islands Council has reported there are no Private Water Supplies in the close vicinity of the site. Background noise monitoring has been undertaken at nearby residential properties and is ongoing. The level of noise from the construction and operation of the wind turbines is predicted using specialist software by an independent consultant in line with best practice guidance and in agreement with the Environmental Health Officer. This process is important in the layout iteration process to ensure noise levels remain within acceptable limits for the proposed layout and candidate turbine model. It is expected that, if planning consent is granted, planning conditions would apply to make sure that the wind farm operates within required noise limits. Anticipated View from A966l looking north to the site

8 Timeline ncil April 2015 Statkraft bring forward plans for Costa Project taken forward by Future Electric in partnership with Fairwind Low Carbon acquire the site and Hoolan Energy take forward proposal Hoolan write to community council and issue news release Scoping October 2015 March 2016 June 2016 Summer 2016 Met Mast consented by OIC Met Mast installed Exhibitions Submit a Planning Application Grid application We are here Summer 2016 onwards Formal consideration of application Late 2016/ early 2017 (if consented) Apply for Island CfD (depending on the current status of support available) Grid connection upgraded Expected planning determination Community Liaison/ownership Construction and commissioning of the development CONSTRUCTION DECOMMISSIONING If consented, we will set up a liaison group to ensure the local community is kept informed ahead of and during construction of the wind farm. The construction of the project would take up to 12 months, with construction potentially commencing in We would expect the delivery of turbine components to be carried out over several weeks and at times to minimise impacts on local traffic. Typically, wind farms operate for 25 years. At the end of this period, the wind turbines will be decommissioned, taken away and the site restored to a condition required by Orkney Islands Council. A financial bond will be put in place to ensure that the project can be decommissioned. Anticipated View from A966/NCR1 north of Vinquin Hill towards the site

9 Community Benefit/Opportunities for Shared Ownership SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS COMMUNITY BENEFIT Hoolan Energy is determined to work with local companies where possible - it makes sense for us and we want to see the local economy benefit from our projects during the development, construction and operation of our project. Up until now we have used local companies wherever possible and an example being these information boards, which were printed in Orkney. Community benefit funds in Orkney and across Scotland have supported a wide range of different types of projects. In line with best practice guidelines set by the Scottish Government and Local Energy Scotland, we are committed to providing 5,000 per MW in community benefit. This means that if Costa Head has an installed capacity of 20.4 MW, it would generate 102,000 per annum (index linked) in community benefit. Therefore could generate up to 2,550,000 over the lifetime of the project. During the construction phase, there will be a wide range of opportunities for specialists in plant hire, civil engineering, cabling, fencing, building works, road building and quarrying. We plan to hold Meet the Buyer events to introduce ourselves to the local supply chain and allow local businesses to learn about the opportunities during the construction of the project. We will not be restrictive and set out what the community benefit can be used for - that is a decision for the community - but examples could include energy efficiency projects, such as insulating homes and community buildings to reduce heat loss. SHARED/COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP As well as the traditional community benefit fund, Hoolan Energy is committed to a shared/community ownership model for, providing further benefits to the area. Community ownership is a relatively new concept and would be separate to community benefit. We have had initial discussions with community councils and we welcome all views on continuing to progress with this opportunity. We welcome your views on how best to take forward a shared ownership model and how this should take shape. We hope to have a continued dialogue with the community to learn more about ideas and how best to use the community benefit fund. Shapinsay

10 THANK Y U NEXT STEPS We will keep the local community informed of our proposals and notify local residents of future exhibitions and events, however if you do not wish to be kept informed then please tell a member of the team. CONTACT DETAILS Hoolan Energy 16 Young Street Edinburgh EH2 4JB T: E: info@hoolanenergy.com W: Harbour in Stromness The Hoolan Energy team would like to you thank you for taking the time to visit this Public Exhibition today. We hope that you have found this exhibition useful and the information helpful. We would welcome any comments in the feedback forms available. Brough of Birsay