Planning blocks deal fresh windfarm blow
Stornoway Wind Farm has been pushed back by a further year due to uncertainty around the mainland infrastructure required to carry power to the National Grid.
SSEN Transmission have told the developers, EDF and the Irish state company ESB, that their earliest connection date will now be 2031, due to Highland Council’s refusal of planning consent for a sub-station at Fanellan, near Beauly.
While SSEN have said that they will continue work on the sub-sea interconnector with the mainland, it is clear that until the Fanellan issue is resolved, the fate of island wind projects, both onshore and offshore, remains in doubt.
The stakes are so high that developers are confident the Scottish Government will overturn Highland Council’s stance on appeal. But this process is expected to take up to a year to be completed, while projects are put on hold.
Lewis Wind Power’s project, on land owned by Stornoway Trust, has been in development for more than two decades while waiting for a sub-sea interconnector to be approved. A milestone was reached in January with preconstruction ground investigations commencing.
An SSEN Transmission spokesperson told the Gazette: “Whilst we remain disappointed by Highland Council’s decision on the proposed Fanellan development, we remain confident the project meets all relevant planning policies and requirements.
“As we await a decision on that appeal, we have revised the connection date for Stornoway Wind Farm to December 2031. This remains subject to ongoing review and, in particular, a timely and positive outcome of the Fanellan substation appeal to the Scottish Government.
“Stornoway Wind Farm remains an important connection project for SSEN Transmission, and we continue to work closely with all parties to support its connection as quickly as possible”.
The statement continued: “The Western Isles HVDC Link is a nationally significant project that will strengthen energy security and support long-term economic growth. We remain focused on delivering the project and progressing the necessary regulatory and consenting approvals.”
Lewis Wind Power is now a 50-50 joint venture between ESB and EDF Power Solutions UK. The company has been working with partners and stakeholders to progress wind development on Lewis since 2003, and consent is in place for 33 wind turbines on land owned by the Stornoway Trust.
Darren Cuming, head of onshore development for Lewis Wind Power, reiterated their commitment to the project: “The recent grid delay has pushed back our timetable for Stornoway Wind Farm, and we support SSEN’s appeal to the Scottish Government on the Fanellan development.
“Our commitment to building Stornoway Wind Farm remains strong, but full benefits and investment can only begin once the project is operational. Continued delays risk pushing this to 2030 and beyond, affecting local supply chain investment, community benefit funds, and community ownership.
“With the Western Isles facing some of the highest fuel poverty levels in the UK, staying on schedule with renewable projects is essential to addressing these issues”.
The Scottish Government Planning and Appeals Division are considering SSEN’s appeal against the Fanellan decision.
The set-back for the Stornoway project comes on the heels of a decision by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to refuse planning consent for offshore elements of Spiorad na Mara windfarm, raising the likelihood that it too will have to be determined by the Scottish Government.
Earlier this year, the Gazette revealed that Lewis Wind Power had handed back its “Contract for Difference” offer, the subsidy mechanism which is vital or all renewable projects. Due to the lapse of time and rising costs, a new CfD bid will be required.
All of this confirms the uncertainties which continue to surround delivery of renewable energy projects in the Western Isles, despite approval of the 1.8GW interconnector between Lewis and the mainland.