Force 9 Energy Ltd and its development partner, Catamount Energy Ltd have identified a site at Mark Hill, in South Ayrshire for a wind farm development. This information leaflet forms part of a public consultation process which Force 9 Energy Ltd is undertaking before a planning application is submitted.
As the map indicates, the site identified at Mark Hill is located within a rural diversification area in the Carrick Forest, appx 2 km north east of Barrhill in South Ayrshire.
Following initial discussions with planning officers, government agencies and environmental bodies, Force 9 Energy Ltd has designed a layout with up to 28 turbines with a generation capacity of up to 84 megawatts. That?s equivalent to the electricity demands of almost 47,000 households. The proposed height of the turbines will be a maximum of 110 metres to blade tip.
A full environmental assessment for the proposed wind farm is now being undertaken. When completed, it will form part of a planning application to be submitted to the Scottish Executive under section 36 of the Electricity Act (Scotland). Under this process, South Ayrshire Council assumes the role of a statutory consultee. Force 9 Energy Ltd will continue to consult with the Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the RSPB during the site design process.
Over the operating lifetime of the project (c25 years), approx 4.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced from conventional coal fired power stations.
It is proposed that grid connection would be via existing transmission lines on site.
Access for construction and operational vehicles is likely from the South on the A714, leaving the A714 south of Barrhill and then travelling on new and upgraded tracks bypassing Balluskie.
Around 70 construction jobs will be created and civil works totalling approximately £7 million will be available for tender.
In addition, 2 -3 full time operations and maintenance jobs will be created throught the 25 year life of the project and local labour and contracters will be used wherever possible.
Any visual effects have been minimised through careful site design. The developers believe they have come up with a site layout and design which minimises visual impacts.
The turbines have been sited to meet easily, the most stringent noise conditions as identified by the DTI convened Noise Working Group report.
A full ecological assessment of the site is being undertaken which will consider in detail the possibility of any impacts on birds, other wildlife, vegetation and hydrology. The RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage have been consulted during the design process and breeding bird surveys carried out to date have found no issues of a serious nature.
Existing commercial forestry on site would be removed during the construction period, allowing for habitat enhancements on site.
Investigations to date indicate no issues in this area.
Catamount Energy Ltd is a UK based company owned by Statkraft of Norway and Catamount Energy Corp of the US.
Statkraft is the major producer of electricity in Norway and one of the two leading producers of renewable energy in Europe, Catamount Energy Corp, a subsidiary of the state utility Central Vermont Public Service, has been developing power projects for more than 15 years.
Catamount is jointly developing the project with wind farm specialists Force 9 Energy.
Force 9 Energy Ltd was formed in 2002 in response to government policy that wished to see a larger proportion of the country?s energy needs met from renewable sources.
Having previously held senior management positions at large electricity companies, the management team has been involved in generation projects since 1991 and wind power specifically since 1996.
The team has been responsible for developing over 120 MW of new wind power projects and the experience gained from this is applied in developing locally aware, environmentally responsive projects.
Force 9 Energy, working exclusively with the Vermont public utility Catamount Energy and Statkraft, the state owned Norwegian utility, is currently developing a portfolio of over 300 MW of clean, emission free projects that will contribute to the nation?s future energy needs without consuming scarce natural resources..
Force 9 Energy is committed to public consultation on its plans.
As part of the consultation process, we have arranged for a public exhibition where members of the project team will be available to provide information, answer questions on this proposal and listen to your views.
An open exhibition of the proposals for Mark Hill wind farm will be held on Wednesday 13th April 2005 at the Memorial Hall in Barrhill from 11am to 8pm. All members of the local community are invited to attend.
Any queries or requests for further information should be directed as follows,
By Post to
Freepost RLTU-EECS-KYTU
Mark Hill Wind Farm
28 Beckford Street
HAMILTON
ML3 0BT
Or by phone to Freephone 0800 0960911