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Tormsdale Wind Farm is located immediately west of the existing Causeymire Wind Farm, on land 8.5 km south of Halkirk in Caithness.
The Site was first identified in late 2013 by Arise through a ‘top-down’ process of assessing local planning policy, wind resource, environmental & technical constraints. Early feasibility assessments identified the potential for a larger scale wind farm than that now proposed, with up to 23 turbines. A preliminary design concept was presented to Highland Council in October 2014 for pre-application comment and advice.
Extensive design and environmental survey work has since been undertaken to establish the existing environmental conditions on the site, and to inform the design. This included surveys for ground conditions, surface and ground water hydrology, terrestrial ecology (including surveys for vegetation, bats, wildcats, and fisheries) and two years of bird surveys.
The wind farm design now comprises 10 turbines, each with a maximum tip height of up to 149.9 m, and a generation capacity exceeding 50 MW. Continued development of wind turbine technology may lead to a turbine with a larger generating capacity installed of the same physical size if the project is approved and built.
Once built, it is estimated that the energy output of Tormsdale Wind Farm will be at least 50% of the combined output of the existing Causeymire, Achlachan, Bad a Cheo and Halsary Wind Farms, as a result of adding just 10 turbines to the existing cluster of 52.
There is no forestry on site. The land is currently used for sheep grazing and shooting, with fishing beats along the River Thurso and Little River. There is also a history of gravel extraction throughout the site.
If consented, this will be a productive wind farm due to the exceptional wind resource on site, highlighted by the number of other wind farm developments in the surrounding area. The wind farm will be capable of producing clean, green, renewable electricity and making a valuable contribution to Scotland’s ambitious renewable energy targets. The extensive environmental surveys and design work undertaken have shown the potential for this area to host further onshore wind development at this scale.
The Tormsdale site allows a sufficient set back from residential properties and other key receptors, and appropriate design has allowed the scheme to sit coherently alongside the existing wind farm developments. There is no forestry on site, and the current land use is moorland and flat peatland, with salmon fishing on the River Thurso and Little River. Historic land use at the site has included mineral extraction works. Evidence of the former use is visible within the site area and includes a metal road, pits where extraction has occurred, and areas of overburden/soil which demonstrates the previous active use of the southern area of the site.
The proposed wind farm layout has been subject to a number of iterations and refinements which considerably mitigate any predicted adverse effects. For example, the use of existing access tracks is maximised, whilst all turbines have been located in areas of shallow or no peat. The layout proposed has been designed to correspond with the areas used for historic mineral extraction as far as possible. The resultant design balances the environmental and technical constraints, whilst still producing an economically viable project.
In 2019, the UK Government committed to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. The UK has already reduced emissions by 42% through an increase in the development and use of renewables, as well as strategies and polices to encourage the public. Whilst the UK Government has announced a capacity target for offshore wind of 50 GW, that alone will not be sufficient to meet increased demand for electricity as we move to a low carbon economy. The Climate Change Committee has recommended that further onshore wind capacity will also be needed.
The Scottish Government has declared a climate emergency and passed the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Target) (Scotland) Act 2019 which commits Scotland to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2045. Action set out in the 2019 Act include:
In 2017, prior to the 2019 Act, the Scottish Government published its Energy Strategy which sets out the targets of achieving the “equivalent of 50% of the energy for Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity consumption to be supplied from renewable sources” by 2030. In order to achieve this, approximately 17 GW of installed capacity will be required throughout Scotland; onshore wind will be a key factor in achieving these goals.
On 13 February 2023, the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), was adopted by Scottish parliament. NPF4 sets out the Scottish Government’s development priorities over the next 30 years, and responds to the challenges of climate change, and addresses the social and economic legacy of the coronavirus pandemic, the cost crisis and longstanding inequality. In order to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, and to meet the emission reduction targets of 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2040, there must be a radical transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, specifically in relation to infrastructure, heating methods and electricity supply.
Other key energy policy changes which have occurred since the original submission include the publication of The Onshore Wind Policy Statement in 2022, which includes the target to deliver 20GW of onshore wind in Scotland by 2030, as well as the publication of the draft updated Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan in 2023 which further embeds the commitment to addressing the climate and nature crises at the centre of the planning system and emphasises the need to deliver an energy system which meets the challenge of becoming a net zero nation by 2045 and provides a safe and secure energy supply for all.
At a more local level, The Highland Council declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 and, has since set a target for a carbon neutral Inverness in a low carbon Highlands by 2025, as a part of its Carbon CLEVER initiative.
Tormsdale Wind Farm will contribute to these local and national targets by adding over 50 MW of onshore wind capacity over its 30-year operation. This low carbon power will displace 683,010 tonnes of fossil fuel mix generation CO2 emissions from the atmosphere over its operational life, giving rise to a significant benefit to the environment and contribution towards mitigation of the global climate crisis.
The wind farm layout has been informed by environmental surveys, such as ecology, hydrology, and ornithology surveys, as well as technical input from geotechnical and wind engineers. This multi-discipline approach has produced a design which balances the optimisation of energy output and minimises impacts on the environment.
This design and the layout evolved throughout the EIA process. Broadly, the turbine development area has been moved towards Causeymire Wind Farm to minimise the extent of development when viewed from the north and south, and the design of the southern area of the Site has sought to ensure even spacing between turbines. This has been informed through feedback received from the Highland Council’s pre-application advice, and from feedback received post-submission of the application and EIA Report in consultation with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders, and members of the public.
The FEI (Amended) Layout consists of 10 turbines, with a maximum tip height of 149.9 m. This represents an amendment to the EIA Layout of 12 turbines. Comments from Historic Environment Scotland led to the removal of two turbines (T1 and T2), due to proximity to two scheduled monuments, and the relocation of another turbine (T6) to mitigate effects on the setting of Tulloch Mor Broch (SM593), with the added benefit of reducing the potential for impacts on the River Thurso Special Area of Conservation.
No further changes have been made to the Site boundary or layout since submission of the EIA Report.Key drivers to the design process have been:
The Applicant is Arise AB. Founded in 2007, Arise is one of Sweden’s leading independent renewable energy companies. Arise manages the entire project value chain – from feasibility and permitting to financing, construction, divestment and long-term management of renewable electricity production.
Arise has been active in the UK since 2011 with the support of established Scottish based developer Lomond Energy, and now employs a local team of specialists across the UK to oversee its onshore wind and solar development portfolio.
Arise is a long-term owner and operator of projects and manages over 1,800 MW of wind generation in the Nordics, and owns and operates a portfolio of ten wind farms in Sweden.
Lomond Energy is an independent renewable energy consultancy & development company based in Gartocharn, West Dunbartonshire. Established in 2003, it specialises in onshore wind in Scotland, developing projects both independently and in partnership with landowners, communities, and other developers, such as Arise.
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Steve Macken
Lomond Energy Ltd, East Cambusmoon Farm, Gartocharn, West Dunbartonshire, G83 8RZ
Tel: 01389 830800
Email: info@lomondenergy.com
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