Where are the windfarms?
Windfarm turbines in the Kyle of Sutherland, as seen through Google Earth
Other wind farm location maps from the Kyle of Sutherland region
Location of wind turbines across Scotland (Highland Council data, July 2024)
Windfarms in the Kyle of Sutherland (sketch map, 9 December 2024)
Cumulative windfarms across the Kyle of Sutherland (Braelangwell Wind Farm and surrounding region within 15 km, 22 August 2024)
No less than 40 wind farm projects are in development…
Proposal documents and other supporting materials can be accessed through the second link provided for each wind farm. Information provided below was current as of November 2024. Please refer to source links. The table above is more current. (Note: ECU = Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit, BESS = battery energy storage systems)
Achany (built) (19 turbines, 100 m, 38 MW) [SSE Renewables UK]
Achany Extension (formerly Glencassley) (approved) (ECU link) (18 turbines, 15o m, 80 MW+) [SSE Renewables UK]
Acheildh (formerly Lairg III) (in planning) (6 turbines, 230m) [Energie Kontour Germany]
Allt an Tuir (in scoping) (ECU link) (8 turbines, 200 m, 50 MW+) [REG Power Developments UK, ESB Ireland] + 12 battery units and 20 ha solar panel development
Balblair (in scoping) (ECU link) (8 turbines, 180 m, 50 MW+) [Force 9 Energy UK, Vestas Denmark, ESB Ireland]
Braelangwell (in scoping) (ECU link) (17 turbines, 220 m, 150 MW) [E Power Ireland] + unspecified BESS
Coille Beith (in scoping) (ECU link) (19 turbines, 200 m, 137 MW) [StatKraft Norway] + unspecified BESS
Garvary (consultation) (25 turbines, 180 m) [Coriolis Energy UK, ESB Ireland]
Inveroykel (in scoping) (ECU link) (29 turbines, 230 m, 199 MW) [RWE Germany] + unspecified BESS
Meall Buidhe (approved) (ECU link) (8 turbines, 150 m, 40 MW) [Meall Buidhe LLP UK]
Rosehall (built) (19 turbines, 90m, 25 MW) [RWE Germany]
Strath Oykel (in appeal) (ECU link) (11 turbines, 200 m, 78 MW) [Energie Kontor Germany] + 5 MW BESS
SSEN powerline pylons
SSEN Spittal – Loch Buidhe – Beauly 400kV Connection
Information about BESS
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a key technology in the transition to renewable energy and the decarbonization of the power system, as they can store excess electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind and then release it when demand is higher.
For further information…
Rankl, F., Walker, A., and Row, G. (2024). Battery energy storage systems. Research Briefing (No. 7621), House of Commons Library, UK Parliament. Description: Research briefing covering battery energy storage systems (BESS), concerns about their safety and barriers to their deployment. Source: UK Parliament.
Hannan, M.A., et al. (2021). Battery energy-storage system: A review of technologies, optimization objectives, constraints, approaches, and outstanding issues. Journal of Energy Storage, 42 (103023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2021.103023. Description: Article explores BESS objectives, methods, issues, and challenges… and offering significant recommendations to researchers and policymakers.
UK Government Health and Safety Executive (HSE): Grid-scale battery energy storage systems – including responsibilities, permissions, environmental protection, and fire & rescue service. Description: This page helps those with responsibilities during the life-cycle of battery energy storage systems (BESS) know their duties, including designers, installers, and operators.