Glen Ullinish II Wind Farm Proposal

If you are unable to attend the drop-in sessions but would like to speak to the Project Team, please contact us on GlenUllinishPM@muirhallenergy.co.uk or click the button below and use the proforma.                                                                                             

The Site
The site for the Proposed Development is located between Portree and Dunvegan, on the Isle of Skye with a number of smaller villages, such as Struan, Balmeanach, Ose, Ebost and Ullinish, close to the southern and western edges of the site, and Edinbane and Skeabost to the north. The site extends to both sides of Glen Ose and Glen Colbost and extends south to the northern edge of Tungadale Forestry.

A portion of the site is subject to an existing planning consent for Glen Ullinish Wind Farm which comprises eight wind turbines with maximum tip heights of 149.9m and three turbines with maximum tip heights of 145m (the Consented Development).

If consented, Glen Ullinish II Wind Farm will replace the Consented Development and only Glen Ullinish II Wind Farm will be built out.

The Proposed Development
The Proposed Development consists of:

• Up to 47 wind turbines, including (depending on final turbine model external transformers, and/or aviation lighting) those with tip heights of up to 200m. The indicative output capacity at this stage, based on a typical commercial wind turbine currently available, is in the region of 310.2MW, however, this capacity may increase as new technology becomes available;
• Turbine construction areas comprising of a main crane hardstanding, two auxiliary crane hardstandings (required for the construction of the main crane lattice boom structure), and adjacent component laydown areas for each turbine;
• Up to two permanent steel lattice anemometer masts of up to 125m in height, together with associated construction area;
• Onsite underground electrical cables and cable trenches for turbines;
• Two substations and three onsite substation compounds. The third compound is for use by the Transmission Network Operator (TNO).
• A battery energy storage system (BESS) with a total indicative capacity up to 120MW. The BESS will have a 240 megawatt hour (MWh) capacity, which could provide a 120MW service to the grid for two hours;
• Fourteen watercourse crossings and associated infrastructure e.g. bottomless arches or box crossings;
• Approximately 39.7km of new access tracks of which a minimum of 10.7km will be floated access tracks. In addition, there will be approximately 1.8km of upgraded existing tracks;
• Approximately 39.7km of new access tracks of which a minimum of 10.7km will be floated access tracks. In addition, there will be approximately 1.8km of upgraded existing tracks;
• Creation of a new junction to access the site off the A863;
• Associated ancillary engineering works;
• Onsite vehicle turning heads;
•  Site signage; and
• Restoration and Enhancement works.

In addition to the above components associated with the operation of the Proposed Development, construction of the Proposed Development will also require the following temporary elements during the construction process:

• The creation of up to seven temporary borrow pits for the extraction of stone (subject to detailed site investigation);
• A temporary construction compound;
• An auxiliary construction compound, concrete batching plant and a temporary helipad for health and safety purposes during construction, all to be located within the BESS footprint prior to the BESS construction, thereby reducing the overall footprint required by the temporary infrastructure;
• A temporary construction car park;
• Creation of an extended bellmouth at the site entrance, constructed of aggregate, to enable delivery of abnormal loads; and
• Felling of approximately 186ha forestry to construct the Proposed Development.

Our Site Layout for the Proposed Development can be viewed and downloaded using the button below:

The operational life of the Proposed Development will be 40 years. A construction period of 18-24 months is required.

Following the 40-year operational period, the Proposed Development will be fully decommissioned, or an application made to extend its operational life or replace the turbines. Decommissioning will last approximately 24 months. This will involve the removal of the turbines and all above ground components.

Community Benefits
Our vision for the Proposed Development goes further than the green energy that we will produce. At Muirhall we are passionate about leaving a lasting positive legacy for the site and surrounding communities.

• We will offer an industry leading community investment package of £7,000 per MW of maximum usable capacity. That commitment will remain for the lifetime of the Proposed Development and has the potential to create an annual community investment fund of approximately £2 million a year. This would represent a total of approximately £80 million in community benefits over the lifetime of the wind farm.^[1]
• We will offer up to 10% ownership in the Proposed Development for the surrounding communities, which, if secured would result in a substantial increase in community revenue available for local people to invest in local projects.
• We have established an Initial Investment Fund (IIF) for our larger developments, open to applications from community groups as soon as construction begins. Similar to the community investment fund, the IIF of £235,000 (£5,000 per turbine) for the Proposed Development is to be distributed to community projects around the wind farm.
• Our aim is to maximise the financial benefit of the wind farm for the community. With all of our projects we commit to placing work with local contractors who tender within 10% of the best quote we receive for any work on the project.
• The construction of the Proposed Development will bring significant economic opportunities to the area. During the development and construction phase, it is estimated that the Proposed Development will generate up to £54.4 million GVA and support 777 years of employment in Highland, as well as £116.2 million GVA and 1,696 years of employment in Scotland.
• During the operations and maintenance phase, it is estimated that the Proposed Development will generate an annual impact of up to £3.8 million GVA and support 32 jobs in Highland, and £8.6 million GVA and 85 jobs in Scotland.
• Muirhall will work with local communities to improve connectivity issues often faced in rural areas. The Project Team is in the early stages of engagement with the community on this matter and is developing a method of bringing a quality broadband connection to the area. Current plans include providing enhanced broadband connection through a Fixed Wireless Access network using a fibre backhaul and repeater units.

^‍[1] Investment funds will be calculated on the usable capacity. For Glen Ullinish II Wind Farm the useable capacity is 289.9MW. If, through the consenting process turbines are lost, the total community investment fund may reduce.

Environmental Benefits
At Muirhall we understand the importance of conserving and aiding biodiversity and environmental sustainability. We are therefore fully committed to ensuring the Proposed Development will leave a positive impact on the site, as well the local, and wider community.

• The Proposed Development would make a significant contribution to the Scottish Government’s targets to become Net Zero by 2045. Once operational, the Proposed Development has the potential to produce the equivalent of the annual power needs of approximately 298,000 homes and produce enough electricity to power approximately 436,000 electric cars.
• The Proposed Development would result in an estimated annual carbon saving of approximately 202,000 tonnes CO2.
• An Outline Restoration and Enhancement Plan has been prepared and submitted with the Section 36 application. It offers opportunities for substantial interrelated environmental enhancements at the site with respect to peat resource, biodiversity and forestry.
• A Vision Statement for Biodiversity, Ecology and Cultural Heritage Enhancement has been prepared and submitted with the Section 36 application. Our vision for Glen Ullinish II Wind Farm goes further than the renewable energy we will produce. We are working with landowners, crofters, the local community and industry experts to create plans which will maximise the benefits delivered from the Proposed Development, whilst ensuring the current culture and land practices are maintained. From public consultations held in April and September 2022, and discussions with NatureScot and Historic Environment Scotland, we have created a Vision Statement detailing what we think the Proposed Development can offer to the local communities and environment, and this document seeks to balance local ambitions whilst protecting and enhancing the environment.