A planning application has been submitted to the Scottish Government for a new energy park in Sutherland.
The proposed Kirkton Energy Park comprises 11 wind turbines and battery storage.
It is a joint proposal between Wind 2 and companies managed by Octopus Energy Generation.
The energy park would be across two working farms around 2.1 km south of Melvich, with 150 metre tall turbines giving an installed capacity of 53MW. This will be supplemented by 20MW of battery storage.
Fraser Mackenzie, Wind 2’s development director, said: “Kirkton Energy Park has the potential to generate 184,000 megawatt hours each year.
“This means it could meet the equivalent electricity needs of around 49,000 average UK households and reduce CO2 emissions by 80,000 tonnes each year.
“Combining wind turbines with battery storage has a clear advantage for energy production and security of supply, allowing the energy park to continue to export electricity to the national grid during periods of low wind speed.”
As well as helping Scotland reach its net zero targets, Kirkton Energy Park should provide economic benefits for the local community, including a community fund worth £260,000 per year.
Mackenzie said: “A portion of the fund will go towards the electricity costs of those living nearest the site.
“We’re looking at two options, either a £400 annual contribution towards people’s electricity bills for the lifetime of the energy park, or a lump sum grant of £4,500, which could be used to install energy efficiency measures.
“We welcome thoughts and feedback from the local communities on these options, as we want to ensure the finalised proposal is tailored to maximise benefit to local residents,“ he continued, adding: “We’re also offering local communities the opportunity to acquire up to a 10% share of the project.“
A public consultation period, during which members of the public can submit comments, will run until 27 January.
Wind2 is an onshore wind farm developer formed in 2016, which has since been responsible for some 1GW of the current operating capacity in the UK. It has an office based on the Black Isle in the Highlands, as well as staff in Edinburgh, Perth and throughout Wales and England.
Octopus Energy Generation is one of Europe’s largest investors in renewables, operating £4bn of solar and wind projects across Europe, including the the 108MW Beinneun Wind Farm near Fort Augustus.
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