ESB is developing proposals for Chleansaid Wind Farm

Project Summary

The site is located on the Dalnessie Estate, 13km to the north-east of Lairg in the Highlands. View the Location Plan for a detailed map of location.

The Chleansaid Wind Farm proposal comprises:

Up to 16 turbines, with a maximum height of 200m and a generating capacity of up to 100MW. View the Proposed Site Layout here.
Plans to co-locate battery storage with the wind farm to maximise the use of the grid connection
On-site access tracks linking the turbines and connecting to the A836 road via the existing Dalnessie Estate road
On-site grid substation
Site office and staff welfare facilities
An offer of a Community Benefits Package and Shared Ownership of the Wind Farm

Early Stage Development

In May 2020, ESB received an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Opinion from the Scottish Government, which sets out the range of environmental studies that need to be undertaken in order to both shape the design and assess the impact of the project.

ESB submitted an application for planning consent to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit in March 2022, and the formal consultation period for the application is now open. All planning application documents can be accessed via the ECU’s website, or can be viewed and downloaded here.

ESB's Chleansaid Wind Farm development proposal is a wholly new project. ESB has no connection with the previous Dalnessie Wind Farm project, which was proposed in a different location on the Dalnessie Estate and was discontinued in 2014.

Environmental Impact Assessment

As part of the development process we have undertaken an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to assess the effects of the development on the natural, physical and human environment.

The number, size and layout of the turbines have been determined by environmental, technical and commercial constraints identified during the EIA and iterative design processes. Depending on final turbine selection, a potential generating capacity of approximately 100MW could be achieved.

The EIA, which has been published in an EIA Report, covers topics including landscape and visual amenity; traffic and highways; noise; ornithology and ecology; archaeology and cultural heritage; geology, hydrogeology and hydrology; forestry; and socio economics.

Consultation with statutory and non-statutory authorities and with the public has been a key part of the EIA process.

ESB is following Scottish Government guidance in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

ESB has appointed RSK Environment Ltd (RSK), an experienced environmental consultancy, as lead consultant to carry out the EIA and related assessments to accompany a Section 36 application to Scottish Ministers.

Public Consultation

ESB held a virtual consultation event from 30 July to 27 August 2021. As part of this, five live Q&A sessions took place where our team was available to answer any questions about the proposed development. A second consultation event was held from 15th October to 5th November 2021, with two in-person events held in Lairg and Rogart.

As the Section 36 application has now been submitted and is live on the ECU portal, the formal consultation period for Chleansaid Wind Farm is now open.

For more information on the Chleansaid Wind Farm project or to request hard copies of the Non-Technical Summary, please contact: Duncan Scott at chleansaid@esb.ie.

The Benefits of Chleansaid Wind Farm

The development of Chleansaid Wind Farm would bring several important benefits at both the local and national levels.

Major positive impacts on the environment, providing clean, renewable energy, and helping the Scottish Government reach its target for net-zero carbon by 2045 and interim 2030 targets
Supporting the local economy via contracts for tender
Up to £17.5m community benefit funding over the lifetime of the project, shaped to local needs
Opportunity for Community Shared Ownership

Chleansaid Wind Farm

Chleansaid Wind Farm