Low Carbon is proposing a new wind farm, to be known as Forsinain Forest Wind Farm, located on land adjacent to the A897, 3km north of Forsinard and 16km south of Melvich in Sutherland in The Highland Council area. The proposed development is sited outwith all nationally designated land and The Flow Country UNESCO World Heritage candidate site.
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Senior Project Development Manager
Low Carbon is proposing a new wind farm, to be known as Forsinain Forest Wind Farm, located on land adjacent to the A897, 3km north of Forsinard and 16km south of Melvich in Sutherland in The Highland Council area. The proposed development is sited outwith all nationally designated land and The Flow Country UNESCO World Heritage candidate site.
The project will generate greater than 50 megawatts (MW).
A Scoping submission to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit seeking consultees opinions on the scope of environmental assessments was made in September 2023.
View the Scoping submission and the Energy Consents Unit’s Scoping Opinion here:
The Proposed Development is expected to consist of up to 17 stand-alone, three bladed horizontal axis turbines, subject to change through the EIA design process, and associated infrastructure, as well as potentially a co-located on-site battery energy storage system (BESS). The number and location of the turbines is yet to be finalised and will be subject to an ongoing iterative design process as baseline survey data is gathered.
Any predicted environmental effects arising from the Proposed Development will be mitigated as far as reasonably possible. Where necessary, additional specific mitigation measures will be committed to further reduce adverse effects during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases of the development.
Low Carbon champions biodiversity as a critical milestone on the journey towards a low-carbon future and is committed to including within the Proposed Development a comprehensive land and biodiversity management programme, aligned to the unique conditions and circumstances of the site.
Across our portfolio of renewable energy projects, we have championed biodiversity as a critical milestone on the journey towards a low-carbon future.
Onshore wind is one of the cheapest sources of electricity in the UK. Cheaper to produce than gas, nuclear, coal and other renewables. Wind resource is plentiful in Scotland and can be utilised to provide security of supply and add to the renewable energy generation mix.
It is important that the site is improved for nature and demonstrates a biodiversity enhancement, thus helping to protect and improve new and existing habitats.
Where appropriate, we will look to enhance the site with additional planting of native species.
We work in partnership with our landowners and tenants to accommodate appropriate livestock grazing throughout construction and operation of our wind farms.
We intend to keep access to public rights of way open throughout construction and operation of the windfarm, subject to health and safety constraints, and will seek to improve access wherever possible.
Low Carbon is committed to delivering Community Benefit of £5000 per MW installed per annum (index linked) for the operational lifetime of the project in line with the Scottish Government best practice guidance.
Where there is an appetite, Low Carbon will work with communities to explore shared ownership options.
A variety of suppliers are sourced throughout the development, construction, operation and decommissioning of a wind farm. Where possible, Low Carbon will seek to appoint suppliers offering local employment and/or apprenticeships. Please contact us to note your interest.
We hope this information provides an overview of our current proposals which are at an early stage and will be refined as further studies, site surveys and stakeholder and community engagement is undertaken.
As new information becomes available we will update this section of our website.
Please note: Any comments made to Low Carbon at this stage are not representations to the Scottish Ministers. If Low Carbon submits an application in relation to the Proposed Development, there will be an opportunity to make representations to Scottish Ministers during the statutory consultation period after the formal submission.
