Overview. Bhlaraidh and Stronelairg wind farm proposals. SSE Renewables. Site locations. This exhibition

Transcription

1 and Stronelairg s Overview SSE Renewables SSE Renewables is the renewable energy development division of SSE. The company is responsible for the development of onshore and offshore wind farms in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Europe, as well as developing hydro and marine projects. Through its various guises, SSE has been part of the Highland community for more than 60 years and, as the UK s leading generator of renewable energy, is extremely proud of its hydro heritage. SSE is committed to helping meet Scotland s climate change targets and believe that renewable energy plays an important part in this. The renewable energy targets that we are working towards are as follows: UK reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2020 Scotland electricity consumption to come from 100% renewables by 2020 SSE reducing the carbon emissions of its generation by 50% by 2020 As the UK s leading generator of renewable energy, we are proud to be at the forefront of developing renewables and helping tackle climate change. Site locations The areas outlined in red above show the areas of investigation for each of the proposals. They do NOT show the specific areas within these sites where turbines are proposed. This exhibition Over the past 3 years, SSE Renewables has been exploring two potential wind farm sites, one on the Glenmoriston Estate (situated on the northwest side of Loch Ness, north of Invermoriston), and the other at Stronelairg (which extends to the east of our Glendoe Hydro Electric Scheme). It is intended to submit an Environmental Statements (ES) for each project and this will accompany the Section 36 applications to the Scottish Government in the summer of 2012 for consent to develop wind farms at these sites. This is the second public exhibition to be held in relation to the proposals and aims to inform the local community and interested parties of the final design for both projects. Members of the project teams are available to answer any questions that you may have.

2 and Stronelairg s Development process CONSULTATION PROCESS FORMAL PUBLICATIONS SITE SELECTION SSE undertook a thorough review of potential wind farm sites in Scotland. As part of this exercise, Bhlaraidh and Stronelairg were selected as sites with suitable characteristics for potential wind farms (such as adequate wind speed, suitable topography, access to electricity grid, etc). PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND FIRST EXHIBITION A public exhibition is held in the local community in order to gather views on the proposals and to highlight any local issues or concerns. All comments will be considered during the EIA process and may influence the design of the site. We are here SITE FEASIBILITY STUDIES STARTED In April 2009, following discussions with the landowners, the first season of bird studies began. Surveys have been ongoing for two years and will conclude in Spring Planning applications were also submitted for meteorological masts to measure wind speed and the host community councils were informed. The masts have been erected and are now operational. SCOPING In March 2011, Scoping Reports were submitted to statutory and nonstatutory consultees, including the local community councils, to obtain feedback and help define the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STUDIES Desk based assessments, consultation, and field studies have commenced which help identify the current (baseline) environments for the EIA. SCOPING REPORT SECOND PUBLIC EXHIBITION A second exhibition is held in the local community to present the final designs for each of the proposals. PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENTS (ES) Once all of the environmental surveys for the EIAs are complete and scoping opinions and comments have been gathered, the findings are assessed and presented in an ES for each of the proposals. This document accompanies the respective applications when they are submitted to the determining authority. CONSULTATION PERIOD A statutory consultation period is undertaken by the determining authority for each of the proposed developments. Consultees, local community councils, interested parties and the public have the opportunity to comment on each of the proposed developments. Comments are made to the determining authority. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS Applications are submitted to the determining authority accompanied by their respective ES. Copies are sent to consultees, including the local community councils, and also made available for public viewing by the determining authority. REVIEW OF PROPOSALS BY DETERMINING AUTHORITY The applications and respective ES are reviewed by the determining authority and statutory consultees and additional information requested if necessary. The determining authority then assess the proposals against national and local planning and energy policy, the consultee responses (including comments from the local community) and decide whether consent should be granted for each of the proposals. PLANNING APPLICATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT (ES) FURTHER INFORMATION (IF REQUESTED) DETERMINATION OF APPLICATIONS Due to the generation capacity of these proposals being expected to be over 50MW, the Scottish Government will be the determining authority, and The Highland Council a key consultee.

3 and Stronelairg s Working with the community Our approach Throughout the life of our projects, we aim to work positively with the local community and keep people informed about what we are doing. Community benefits SSE is committed to maximizing opportunities for local businesses and services, ensuring a positive lasting legacy for the communities around our projects and for the Highlands as a whole. These are some examples of the short and long-term benefits our projects can bring to the local community: Community benefit funds In recognition of the part that communities play in hosting renewable generation projects, we establish long-term community funds to support community projects and initiatives throughout the life of the wind farm (typically 25 years); and we have a number of such schemes in place in the Highland region already. Whilst community benefit is associated with a consented project, it does not form part of the application submission and cannot be considered in the determination of the application by the planning authority. Construction period If the proposal is successful in being granted permission, prior to the construction of a project, local companies would be given the opportunity to offer their services. This usually takes the form of an open day which is advertised locally for businesses to attend, talk to the project team, and register their interest. Roles and services that may be sourced locally will relate to the on-site and ancillary works and will depend on the skills and services available. Operational period Following the construction period, there are likely to be longer term roles required to help manage the site, including operations and maintenance of the wind turbines and associated plant, fencing and drainage work, road repairs, and office maintenance services. Use of local services Throughout the construction phase, and from time to time afterwards, teams will be brought in for major maintenance or operational tasks. They are likely to rely on local services for accommodation, food and supplies. Visit to an operational wind farm with the project team Apprenticeships At some of our sites, we have established apprenticeship schemes for members of the local community, providing specific training in relation to wind farms. In addition, we are also developing schemes at some of our sites, supported by the community fund, encouraging local businesses to take on apprenticeships, with the fund offsetting the cost of employing the apprentices while they learn their trade. We are keen to ensure that communities receive meaningful long-term benefit from projects in their area, and that they will create genuine short and long-term local employment opportunities, which will help to strengthen communities and encourage local economic growth. Photo courtesy of RePower Achany wind farm, near Lairg, Sutherland 19 turbines (blade tip height of 100 metres)

4 and Stronelairg s Next steps What happens next? It is anticipated that our applications to the Scottish Government will be made in the coming weeks. As the applications are both greater than 50MW, these will be made to the Scottish Ministers. The Highland Council will be consulted as a statutory consultee and will provide Scottish Government with a recommendation during the application processes. Once the applications are registered, a statutory consultation period will begin. This period allows non-statutory consultees 28 days to make representations on the applications to the Energy Consents Unit. The applications will be advertised over a two week period with the statutory time period starting from the date of the second advert for each proposal. How do I comment on the proposals? During the consultation period SSE will consult with community councils, government agencies and any other stakeholders. Once the consultation period begins individuals can make representation at the following address; representations@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Energy Consents and Deployment Unit Scottish Government 4th Floor 5 Atlantic Quay 150 Broomielaw Glasgow G2 8LU Please take the time at the exhibition to speak to our project teams and raise any questions or concerns that you may have about the proposals. Should you have any further questions please contact the Project Liaison Manager. Contact details for the Project Liaison Manager: Marianne Townsley SSE Renewables 10 Henderson Road Inverness IV1 1SN Telephone: marianne.townsley@sse.com Photo courtesy of RePower Fairburn wind farm, Strathconnon, Ross-shire 20 turbines (blade tip height of 100 metres)

5 The proposed development The location The proposed site area is located on a relatively remote plateau which is approximately 4km to the northwest of the village of Invermoriston. The site is predominantly moorland and forms part of the catchment for hydro electric schemes. There is approximately 18km of existing hydro electric tracks which are also currently used by shooting, fishing and stalking parties. The proposal Full site layout Background The project design has been informed by the findings obtained from extensive public consultation along with results from a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The layout for the development consists of a total of 36 wind turbines, with a maximum tip height of up to 135m and makes use of existing infrastructure and access tracks created for the existing hydro electric schemes on the Glenmoriston Estate. Components The main elements of the development would include: 36 wind turbines and associated infrastructure Crane hardstandings On-site access tracks and passing bays (utilising existing hydro electric scheme tracks where possible) 2 permanent meteorological masts Control building and electrical substation Temporary works would include construction compounds, borrow pits (from which construction aggregates would be extracted), and laydown areas. Access Access to the site is expected to be via the A887 on the south side of the site and will use the new forestry tracks that have been recently created. This route has been proposed in order to avoid the houses at Bhlaraidh. There are some existing hydro electric tracks on site and the access will utilise and upgrade these wherever possible. A number of turbine delivery routes have been assessed with the preferred route being from Kyle of Lochalsh along the A87 onto the A887 and then onto site. Grid connection Power generated by the turbines would be transferred via cables to the on-site substation. The connection to the national grid, outwith the site, falls under a separate consent process. Grid connection studies are being carried out to determine the most appropriate method for onward transmission of the electricity generated from the proposed wind farm. Turbine delivery route Development process In early March 2011, we entered the Scoping stage of the project and a Scoping Report was issued to statutory and non-statutory consultees, including local community councils, in order to obtain feedback and refine the scope of the environmental work that we planned to undertake. In parallel with this scoping exercise we held public exhibitions at the end of March 2011 in Fort Augustus and Balnain in order to engage with the local community on this proposal. The information obtained from the consultation and environmental studies has been used to inform the design evolution of the wind farm and we now have a final layout which will be submitted to the Scottish Government in the summer of The environmental information will be collated into an Environmental Statement which will accompany the Section 36 application to the Scottish Government.

6 Environmental considerations The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken for the Development to assess the likely significant environmental effects. The information gathered from the surveys has helped to shape the design and layout of the proposed wind farm and identify any required mitigation measures. The environmental considerations listed below were identified as being of key importance for the design process; Landscape and visual Ornithology Ecology and Hydrology Ornithology A range of field surveys were undertaken throughout 2010 and 2012 to establish baseline conditions on-site in order to assess likely disturbancedisplacement, collision risk and barrier effects to species of high conservation value or sensitivity to wind farms. The key bird species found regularly breeding within the site boundary were golden plover and dunlin. A range of other important species were present within the wider study area, but did not breed within the site. Site specific disturbance buffers were established to aid design and layout. No significant impacts were found from this study. Ecology Habitat and protected species surveys have been undertaken within the site during the summer of A range of habitats are present, including conifer plantation and blanket bog. Surveys recorded the presence of otter, water vole, pine marten, adder, palmate newts and bats within the site and/or the surrounding area. Hydrology The watercourses in the southern part of the study area drain southwards into the River Moriston and the northern watercourses drain north and north-east into the River Coiltie and the River Enrick. The characteristics of the watercourses in the study area range from minor tributaries arising from natural springs, to watercourses of up to approximately 5m in width and include a number of ecological designations including the River Moriston Special Area of Conservation. Red Grouse Maintaining appropriate buffers to water features is a key objective in the design of the wind farm layout. As can be seen in the design layout map the track has been designed to minimise water crossings. Other environmental aspects These assessments examined effects on: traffic and transport, noise, peat stability, cultural heritage, telecommunications; aviation and other infrastructure; land-use; tourism and recreation; and socio-economics; shadow flicker; and climate and carbon emissions. These studies indicate that there will be no significant impacts subject to the implementation of some minor mitigation measures. Red Deer

7 Landscape and visual assessment The landscape and visual assessment assesses the visual effects associated with the presence of wind turbines as well as other site infrastructure including temporary construction features such as construction compounds. Based on the findings of the landscape and visual assessment, it is considered that the landscape has the capacity to accommodate development of the scale proposed. Feedback received during the public exhibitions in March 2011 and consultation with key stakeholders highlighted concerns over the potential visual impact of turbines on the setting of Glen Urquhart Castle. This has been addressed during the design process by removing the turbines which can be seen when looking at the castle. Views from Loch Ness were another key consideration when designing the wind farm layout. Due to the careful siting of turbines we have managed to minimise landscape and visual impacts locally. Should you wish to view a computer generated visualisation of how the final wind farm design may look from certain viewpoints, such as residential properties, please ask a member of our team at the exhibition. We are able to generate a 3D model of the wind farm from viewpoints as far away as 35km. This will be based on bare ground i.e. with no screening effects such as vegetation or buildings. The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV), shown below, illustrates the indicative theoretical visibility of the proposed turbine layout based on bare ground (i.e. no screening effects such as vegetation or buildings) for up to 35km from the site. Bhlaraidh Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV)

8 Photomontages and wirelines Viewpoints View point 3: Near Milness Current View point 3: Near Milness Wireline Corrimony wind farm

9 Photomontages and wirelines View point 1: Invermoriston Current View point 1: Invermoriston Montage View point 1: Invermoriston Wireline

10 Photomontages and wirelines View point 2: Meall Faur Mhonaidh Current View point 2: Meall Faur Mhonaidh Montage View point 2: Meall Faur Mhonaidh Wireline

11 Photomontages and wirelines View point 4: Suidhe Current View point 4: Suidhe Montage View point 4: Suidhe Wireline

12 Photomontages and wirelines View point 5: Loch Ness Urquhart Castle Current View point 5: Loch Ness Urquhart Castle Wireline

13 Design iterations Scoping layout The scoping layout of 138 turbines was based on a theoretical maximised layout taking into account limited constraints (i.e. location of watercourses, lochs, wind data and designated sites). Second design iteration The second design iteration incorporated a significant reduction of turbines from the scoping layout to 61 turbines, all of which were located in the western half of the site. The removal of 77 scoping stage turbines was undertaken in response to the following key aspects: Technical considerations, for example access track gradients and ground conditions (in particular the presence and depth of peat); Scoping layout Further ornithological studies (including modelling to determine the areas within the site important to key species); Landscape responses including comments from consultees relating to potential visibility of the scoping layout from Invermoriston, the A82, the setting of Urquhart Castle and the south side of Loch Ness were taken into consideration and contributed to the removal of approximately 20 turbines for the second design iteration. Consultation responses and feedback received at public exhibitions and followup consultations with statutory consultees, including Highland Council. Historic Scotland, SEPA and SNH. Second design iteration Final design iteration The current layout addresses the concerns raised by the consultees and avoids a number of likely significant effects. Final design iteration