ESB, a leading energy company, is set to develop a new wind farm project in Scotland, contributing to the country’s renewable energy capacity. The project, located on the Dalnessie Estate in the Scottish Highlands, aims to create an additional 96 MW of renewable energy capacity, enough to power approximately 54,000 homes.
Planned on-site are up to 16 turbines, each with a maximum blade tip height of 200 meters, alongside a 20 MW battery energy storage scheme and supporting infrastructure. The project will include access tracks, borrow pits, construction compounds, and a substation.
RSK, an environmental consultancy, coordinated the environmental impact assessment process for the project. Various RSK Group companies provided support in areas such as traffic and transport considerations, public exhibitions, hydrology and peat, planning assistance, and forestry services. RSK also managed the public consultation, public relations, planning, and contributed to the site’s design.
According to RSK Project Manager Joe Somerville, the project is expected to save up to 132,451 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year and approximately 4,461,952 tonnes of CO2e over its operating life. It is projected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 54,396 households in Scotland and will contribute to a reduction in energy curtailment and provide grid stability through on-site battery storage.
The project falls within the scope of Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and was determined by the Scottish Government, with the Highland Council as a statutory consultee. Working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), efforts were made to minimize impacts on peatland, with plans to deliver habitat improvements to areas of degraded bog, riverbanks, and native woodlands.
Duncan Scott, ESB Project Director, expressed excitement about adding the Chleansaid Wind Farm to their portfolio of wind farms across the UK and Ireland. He highlighted the significant benefits the project will bring to the energy decarbonization of Scotland and the UK, estimating a total investment of £17.6 million in the Highlands and approximately £54.2 million in Scotland. The development phase is expected to support approximately 52 local jobs, with 21 jobs supported during the operational phase.