Glen Ullinish Wind Farm Variation Approved. 30.10.20

Muirhall Energy is delighted to announce that members of The Highland Council’s North Planning Applications Committee approved its application to modify Glen Ullinish Wind Farm on Tuesday the 20th of October 2020.

The application itself sought to reduce the number of turbines from 14 to 11 and increase the maximum tip heights from 119m to 149.9m, necessitated by the trend towards larger, more productive generators.

Crucially, the proposed development will make a significantly enhanced contribution towards Scotland’s ambitious climate targets, producing enough renewable energy to power approximately 36,000 homes every year which is an increase of 6,000 from the previously consented application. In addition, thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions will be offset in the process.

Muirhall is also extremely proud of the community support shown to the project. Members repeatedly remarked on the lack of objections received by the application while local ward Councillor John Gordon noted Muirhall’s “exemplary… dealings with the local communities”.

Chris Walker, the Managing Director of Muirhall commented, “This is a fantastic result for Muirhall and for Skye. Muirhall is a Scottish company committed to addressing the nationally recognised Climate Emergency and this is another step in the right direction. We look forward to continued work with the local communities over the coming years and welcome the investment that will be generated for the area once construction is complete.”

Upon operation of the project, Glen Ullinish Wind Farm will contribute an annual sum of £250,000 to local community groups and The Highland Council. However, due to the Skye Reinforcement project – a necessary upgrade of the electricity line between Fort Augustus and Ardmore – Glen Ullinish cannot connect to the national grid until the middle of this decade.

Nevertheless, Muirhall has enjoyed getting involved in local initiatives over the last year and will continue to contribute locally where appropriate. Since 2019, Muirhall has provided business development funding to Radio Skye and sponsored the ‘Light up Portree’ campaign, funding the purchase of festive lights which will bring seasonal cheer for many years to come.  

Since the consequences of COVID-19 began to be felt on the island, Muirhall has contributed in a number of ways to the Skye Community Response Initiative, administered by Portree and Braes Community Trust. Set up to support key workers and local communities through the effects of the virus, the initiative has raised over £80,000 to date.

Muirhall has donated directly to the initiative in addition to entering a team in ‘The Skye’s the Limit’ challenge – a fundraising event where participants walk, run and cycle as many miles as possible over the month of June. Four members of Muirhall staff racked up over 1200 miles raising £1,800 in the process, the second highest figure out of the 100+ teams who entered.

Looking forward, Muirhall is delighted to support the postponed Raasay duathlon in 2021 and is continually assessing other opportunities to support local projects where appropriate.

If you have any further questions on Glen Ullinish Wind Farm or our community work on Skye, please contact Project Manager, Ross Jamison, on rj@muirhallenergy.co.uk