RES, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, has submitted a Section 36 application for consent to the Scottish Government for its Kintradwell Wind Farm proposal in east Sutherland.

The 15-turbine site, which lies approximately 8km north of Brora, is predicted to deliver approximately £4 million of economic benefit to the local area in the form of jobs, employment and use of local services as well as at least £18.5 million in business rates to The Highland Council during its operation.

In addition, RES has partnered with local Brora-based civil construction firm Edward Mackay Contractors, and signed an agreement. The agreement gives Edward Mackay right of first refusal on the civil construction work for the proposed scheme – helping to secure valuable local jobs and employment opportunities for local people should the project receive consent. RES will also be supporting a local apprentice through the firm.

The site has been through a number of design changes in response to local feedback and site survey work and has been scaled back from the original 22-turbine layout, resulting in reduced visibility of the proposal - particularly from the Brora and Doll area.

Paula Bachelor, Project Manager, RES explained: 
“Our partnership with Edward Mackay Contractors demonstrates that we have listened to the feedback from the community about the importance of local jobs in the area. They employ around 100 staff from the local area – including villages such as Brora, Golspie and Helmsdale – and this project could make a real difference to their firm and local people.

“We have also spent time talking to local residents about the site layout and design. This has helped us refine our proposals and we would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to engage with us.”

With the ever-growing threat of climate change and the impacts it could have it is important that we deliver clean, low-cost electricity as efficiently as possible. New onshore wind is now the cheapest form of electricity generation and Kintradwell would be capable of generating enough renewable electricity for approximately 70,000 homes and would make an important contribution to the Scottish Government’s energy targets.

A statutory consultation period will be advertised and held by the Scottish Government to enable the public, as well as statutory consultees, to submit their comments on the proposal. These comments will then be assessed against the proposal and a determination made by Scottish Ministers in due course.

KeyFacts Energy: RES UK country profile