SSE Renewables applied to the Scottish Government to construct an 80MW extension to the operational onshore Achany Wind Farm near Lairg in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands. Image source: SSE Renewables

SSE Renewables has submitted a Section 36 application to the Scottish Government, seeking consent to construct an extension to the operational onshore Achany Wind Farm in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands and maximise the renewable energy generation potential at the site.

Achany Wind Farm’s existing 19 turbines already generate 38 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy. Under the new proposal, the Achany Extension Wind Farm is anticipated to generate in excess of 80MW, meaning the combined capacity of the operational wind farm and the proposed extension could generate in excess of 118MW of renewable energy. The Section 36 application for the proposal will now be determined by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.

The proposed extension development would comprise up to 20 turbines and would be constructed on land adjacent to SSE Renewables’ operational Achany Wind Farm, approximately 4.5kilometres (km) north of the village of Rosehall and 11km north-west of Lairg.

The reuse of existing site infrastructure has been carefully incorporated into the design, allowing access to the extension through the existing site. The existing Achany Wind Farm access tracks, passing places, borrow pit, operational building and storage infrastructure would be reused, minimising the extent of additional site requirements.

Achany Extension (formerly called Glencassley) has not only been redesigned but relocated a further 2km from previous proposals and is now closer to the existing wind farm, which also brings operational benefits in managing and maintaining the sites. The project also benefits from an existing 65MW grid connection to the distribution network and a transmission connection offer is under evaluation to potentially increase this to 105MW.

A recent report into the impact of SSE Renewables’ onshore wind projects in Sutherland, from development to the end of the typical 25 years of operational life, found that they will contribute more than £131m to the Highland economy. The existing Achany wind farm has distributed over £1m in community funding since becoming operational in 2010. This funding has supported projects such as establishing a local apprenticeship scheme and releasing £52,000 immediately to enable Bonar Bridge’s Bradbury Centre provide support to local communities during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The proposed extension will also include a community fund which would be granted locally and across The Highland Council area through the already well-established SSE Renewables’ community investment programme.

Gillian Wilson, SSE Renewables project manager for Achany Extension, said:
“We believe this proposal for Achany Extension Wind Farm will make a significant contribution in the movement towards green energy in Scotland.

“The operational wind farm at Achany has been a considerable success, delivering 38MW of renewable energy towards the Scottish and UK Governments’ net-zero emissions targets and contributing hundreds of thousands of pounds to local organisations through our community investment fund.

“Achany Extension is an opportunity to build on that success. The proposal will also create local jobs and opportunities for local businesses to win contracts directly with us or with our supply chain.”

Karen Anderson, SSE Renewables consents manager for Achany Extension, said:
“Despite the COVID restrictions, we have consulted safely with key stakeholders throughout the development phase of the project, including statutory bodies, community councils and local residents and businesses. We are grateful for the feedback we have received over the course of this consultation which has helped us to shape the design. We look forward to further consultation as the project develops.”

KeyFacts Energy: SSE UK country profile