Developers of Dorenell Extension Wind Farm, Galileo, determined to be “good neighbours” to the Cabrach in Moray amid local concern

DEVELOPERS of a proposed wind farm on a Moray estate say they are “encouraged” by views received during a recent public consultation.

The Cabrach, located a few miles south of Dufftown, is already home to 77 turbines across two wind farms.

Galileo want to build up to 74 further turbines for what will become the Dorenell Extension Wind Farm.

They are also planning to restore 870 hectares of damaged and degraded peatland as part of the project.

Those proposals went before residents from the local area last month for an initial public consultation.

Jason Morin, senior project manager, said: “We have already heard support from local people for our proposals to help those living closest to the site through a local electricity discount scheme, and we have also had suggestions for assistance with local housing insulation, road repairs, connectivity and other local community enhancements.”

The consultation comes after developers were accused of asset stripping the area by The Cabrach Trust.

The organisation is seeking to regenerate the once thriving area and says that any further wind farm developments threaten to undermine that.

If the proposals go ahead, the Cabrach could become home to the UK’s largest onshore wind array.

And, if that happens, some residents say they will move out of the area, claiming that the “fragile community” will be decimated.

But Galileo says that it is determined to be a “good neighbour” to local communities.

Mr Morin said: “We need to factor into our work the views of local residents on the design of our proposals and how we can best ensure that the benefits these can bring to the local community are maximised.”

The company says that the wind farm will deliver the UK’s biggest onshore community benefit fund worth around £2.7 million each year.

It has also been claimed that construction of the wind farm alone would contribute £85 million to the Moray economy but The Cabrach Trust says “genuine scrutiny” is required regarding the claims.

Mr Morin added: “The size of the community benefit if our proposals go ahead is significant, around £2.7 million each year, so we wanted to encourage as many people as possible who live in the local area to give their thoughts and ideas.

“I’m grateful to all who attended and contributed views online.”

The feedback from the consultation will now be used to inform further design work with further opportunities for the public to give their views later this year.

It is expected that a planning application will be submitted to the Scottish Government in early 2025.

By Ewan Malcolm - ewan.malcolm@hnmedia.co.uk

Galileo is developing proposals for a wind farm and Biodiversity Enhancement Plan (together known as ‘the project’) on land within the Cabrach and Glenfiddich Estates, approximately 10km south of Dufftown.

The location could support a project that would make a meaningful contribution to Scotland’s renewable energy and climate change targets and deliver a significant community wealth fund for the local area.

Initial proposals are:

• Up to 74 turbines – 61 with a maximum tip height of 200 metres and 13 with a maximum tip height of 180 metres;
• A battery energy storage system and
• 870 hectares of peatland enhancement and restoration, equivalent to more than 1,200 football pitches.

This would see the project generate the equivalent of the annual power needs of 575,000 homes and displace some 690,000 tonnes of CO2 each year – a carbon saving equal to taking 400,000 cars off the road.*

The project’s battery storage element would support the wider decarbonisation of the electricity system, and the biodiversity enhancement plan would reduce carbon losses from extensive areas of damaged peatland on site, delivering further carbon savings and increasing biodiversity.

In addition, the current proposals would not only support an annual community benefit fund of £2.7 million to be invested in the local area each year but also work towards providing free electricity to all households within 5km of the project, demonstrating our commitment to the local community.

The onshore wind sector already supports more than 3,400 jobs across Scotland and added £1.49 billion to the Scottish economy in 2021, according to the Economic Impact of Scotland’s Renewable Energy Sector report by the respected Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde.

Analysis of the project proposals by Biggar Economics suggests that the wind farm alone would support 1,200 ‘job years’ in Moray during construction and 50 full time equivalent roles on an ongoing basis over its operational lifespan.

Galileo is committed to maximising the positive local economic impacts from the Project’s construction, operation and maintenance, and will seek to achieve this through:

• Working with local organisations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Business Gateway and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to identify potential local suppliers;
• Publicising relevant contract opportunities;
• Holding ‘meet the buyer’ events to engage directly with local businesses
• Meeting with local suppliers
• Working with turbine supplier and other ‘senior’ suppliers to ensure that they look to award any contract opportunities locally and recruit from the local area wherever possible.

We are keen to hear from local businesses who may be able to offer the skills and services that we will require to progress the project, so if you would like to understand more about the opportunities for the local supply chain, please email dorenellextension@galileoenergy.uk