Project Update
Voltalia would like to thank the local community for attending the consultation events at Kilmore and Kilbride, Taynuilt, Connel and North Connel. We held several events in October 2023 and February 2024 where we received constructive feedback and had great discussions with the local community.
Following the submission of the Scoping Report in 2023, Voltalia has now submitted a planning application to the Scottish Government and further details can be found below. As the proposed development will have a total capacity of over 50MW it will be determined by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) under Section 36 of the Electricity Act (1989), with Argyll and Bute Council as a statutory consultee.
If you have any questions relating to the proposal, please do not hesitate to contact us via email: cruach-clenamacrie@voltalia.com
Project Status
Planning submitted
Installed Capacity
Up to 45MW Wind
Up to 20MW BESS
No. of Turbines
Up to six turbines with a blade tip height up to 200m
Operational Period
Up to 50 years
Energy Generation
Powering up to 48,733 homes
Application Submitted
Voltalia has submitted a Section 36 application for Cruach Clenamacrie Wind Farm to the Scottish Ministers for determination and the period of formal consultation has now started. Please send any representations directly to the Scottish Ministers following the instructions outlined within the “Application Notice”. All representations should be made from Friday 6 December 2024 and should be received no later than Friday 31 January 2025, although Scottish Ministers may consider representations received after this date.
The application documents are available for public inspection, free of charge under the section below titled “Application Documents”. The documents can also be viewed on the Scottish Government Energy Consents website at www.energyconsents.scot under application reference ECU00004841. For further details, please see the “Application Covering Letter” and “Application Notice”.
Hard copies of the application are also available for public viewing at the following locations:
Oban Public Library
Albany Street
Oban
PA34 4AL
Opening Times:
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Tuesday & Wednesday: 9:30 am–16:30 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am–18:30 pm
Friday & Saturday: 9:30 am–13:00pm
Connel Village Hall
Connel
PA37 5AL
Opening Times:
Monday – Sunday: 10:00am – 19:00pm
Times may vary, please check the online hall diary
on the Connel Village Hall website,
https://www.connelvillagehall.org.uk/index.asp
Materials will be displayed in the front entrance
of the village hall.
Application Documents
Non-Technical Summary
Planning and Renewable Energy Statement
Pre-Application Consultation Report
EIA Report - Volume 1
Volume 1 – Chapters
- Volume 1 – Chapter 1 – Introduction
- Volume 1 – Chapter 2 – Planning and Renewable Energy Policy
- Volume 1 – Chapter 3 – EIA Methodology
- Volume 1 – Chapter 4 – Assessment of Alternatives
- Volume 1 – Chapter 5 – Project Description
- Volume 1 – Chapter 6 – Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
- Volume 1 – Chapter 7 – Cultural Heritage and Archaeology
- Volume 1 – Chapter 8 – Noise
- Volume 1 – Chapter 9 – Geology, Hydrogeology, Hydrology and Soils
- Volume 1 – Chapter 10 – Ecology
- Volume 1 – Chapter 11 – Ornithology
- Volume 1 – Chapter 12 – Transport and Access
- Volume 1 – Chapter 13 – Forestry
- Volume 1 – Chapter 14 – Aviation
- Volume 1 – Chapter 15 – Shadow Flicker
- Volume 1 – Chapter 16 – Telecommunications and Infrastructure
- Volume 1 – Chapter 17 – Climate Change and Carbon Balance
- Volume 1 – Chapter 18 – Summary of Mitigation
EIA Report - Volume 2
Volume 2 – Figures
- Volume 2 – Chapter 1 – Figure 1.1 – Site Location Plan
- Volume 2 – Chapter 4 – Figures
- Volume 2 – Chapter 5 – Figures
- Volume 2 – Chapter 6 – Figures
- Volume 2 – Chapter 6 – Visuals – VP 1-5
- Volume 2 – Chapter 6 – Visuals – VP 6-10
- Volume 2 – Chapter 6 – Visuals – VP 11-15
- Volume 2 – Chapter 6 – Visuals – VP 16-20
- Volume 2 – Chapter 7 – Figures and Visuals
- Volume 2 – Chapter 8 – Figures
- Volume 2 – Chapter 9 – Figures
- Volume 2 – Chapter 10 – Figures
- Volume 2 – Chapter 11 – Figures
- Volume 2 – Chapter 13 – Figures
- Volume 2 – Chapter 15 – Figure 15.1 – Shadow Flicker Study Area
EIA Report - Volume 3
Volume 3 – Appendices
- Volume 3 – Appendix 1.1 – Scoping Report
- Volume 3 – Appendix 1.2 – Scoping Opinion
- Volume 3 – Appendix 5.1 – Socio-Economic Statement
- Volume 3 – Appendix 6.1 – Methodology
- Volume 3 – Appendix 6.2 – Illustrative Views
- Volume 3 – Appendix 6.4 – Residential Visual Amenity Assessment
- Volume 3 – Appendix 7.1 – Gazetteer
- Volume 3 – Appendix 7.2 – Setting Assessment
- Volume 3 – Appendix 7.3 – Plates
- Volume 3 – Appendix 9.1 – Peat Slide Risk Assessment
- Volume 3 – Appendix 9.2 – Outline Peat Management Plan
- Volume 3 – Appendix 9.3 – Groundwater-Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems Assessment
- Volume 3 – Appendix 9.4 – Drainage Impact and Watercourse Crossing Assessment
- Volume 3 – Appendix 9.5 – Borrow Pit Assessment
- Volume 3 – Appendix 10.1 – Baseline Habitat Survey Report
- Volume 3 – Appendix 10.2 – Protected Species Survey Report
- Volume 3 – Appendix 10.3 – Bat Static Survey Report
- Volume 3 – Appendix 10.4 – Fish and Habitat Survey Report
- Volume 3 – Appendix 10.5 – Outline Habitat Management Plan
- Volume 3 – Appendix 10.6 – Deer Management Plan
- Volume 3 – Appendix 10.7 – Habitat Regulations Appraisal
- Volume 3 – Appendix 11.1 – Ornithological Technical Report
- Volume 3 – Appendix 11.3 – Bird Protection Plan
- Volume 3 – Appendix 12.1 – Transport Assessment – Part 1
- Volume 3 – Appendix 12.1 – Transport Assessment – Part 2
- Volume 3 – Appendix 12.1 – Transport Assessment – Part 3
- Volume 3 – Appendix 12.1 – Transport Assessment – Part 4
- Volume 3 – Appendix 12.1 – Transport Assessment – Part 5
- Volume 3 – Appendix 17.1 – Carbon Calculator Inputs and Results
Public Consultation
Our consultation events in October 2023 and February 2024 were an important opportunity for us to receive your feedback and we would like to express our thanks to everyone who took the time to share their comments.
The feedback that we received played a crucial role in informing the final design and the main themes from the events are summarised below:
- Project Design – Clarity on the final design and distinguishing this project from nearby developments.
- Community Benefit – Ensuring the project provides environmental, social and economic benefits to the community.
- Responsible Development – Mitigating against disruption for both the community and local wildlife, in any future construction.
- Bigger Picture – Evidencing the need for renewable development in the journey to Net Zero.
Project Benefits
As a renewable energy developer and provider, we want each of our projects to not only help improve the global environment by reducing carbon emissions but also help to improve the local environment.
We are committed to providing environmental, social and economic benefits to the communities where our projects are based and encourage communities to engage with us on their needs and aspirations.
Why wind energy?
Scotland has set the ambitious target of reaching Net Zero by 2045. Wind energy will play a critical role in meeting these targets, with the Scottish Government setting the ambition to deploy a minimum of 20GW of onshore wind in Scotland by 2030.
Community Benefit
Voltalia is committed to providing environmental, social and economic benefits to the communities which host our projects and encourage communities to engage with us on their needs and aspirations.
We are proposing to establish a Community Benefit Fund in line with the Scottish Government’s Good Practice Principles, currently at a value of £5,000 per MW (index linked). We are keen to work with the local community to shape the fund and focus on local priorities.
Local Business Partnerships
If consented, the project will create significant opportunities for local businesses through Construction and Operation. This will include; accommodation providers, manufacturers and suppliers, contractors, and tradespeople across a wide range of specialties, including construction, groundworks, landscaping, and plant hire.
If you would like to be added to our local supplier database, please email cruach-clenamacrie@voltalia.com.
Community Liaison Group
We would like to engage with the community in the most effective way as the project progresses. A Community Liaison Group (CLG) has been established to provide a platform where local representatives can discuss and share information, while also establishing a reliable channel of communication among Voltalia, the local community, and stakeholders.
The first CLG meeting was held on Thursday 29th August and was well attended by local representatives. We will now look to hold the next meeting in early 2025.
Contact us
Please get in contact via cruach-clenamacrie@voltalia.com if you have any questions, or would like to know more about the project.
We would particularly love to hear from local residents, groups and businesses on how the project could benefit you.
About Voltalia
Voltalia is an international energy and service provider in the renewable energy market operating across three continents and in over 20 countries. Since Voltalia was founded in 2005, it has grown to be a world leading Independent Power Producer (IPP) developing, constructing and operating wind, solar, hydro, biomass and storage projects.
Find out more at www.voltalia.com
2.37GW of projects in operation globally
16.6GW of projects in the pipeline
Over 1850 employees worldwide
As a mission-driven company*, Voltalia is fully committed to its purpose to improve the global environment whilst fostering local development. All of our sites will contribute towards addressing national and local electricity needs by generating an affordable and renewable source of clean energy.
* Voltalia became a Mission-driven Company in May 2021. The company has registered in its by-laws a purpose and environmental and social objectives. Find out more on the Voltalia website.
