Site location and characteristics

Cairnmore Hill lies in an area identified by The Highland Council as having ‘potential for wind farm development’ within the Council’s Spatial Framework policy. It is also situated in an area that the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan seeks to promote as an internationally renowned centre for renewable energy.

Furthermore, the site lies outwith any nature conservation, landscape or cultural heritage designation and has good wind rescource, few ecological constraints, straightforward access off the A836 public road and is close to Scrabster harbour. In addition, existing tracks on site can be utilised which will reduce the need for (and impacts of) new tracks.

Low-cost electricity

Onshore wind, together with large scale solar, is the cheapest form of electricity generation. It is also a mature technology which can be deployed quickly and delivered at lower costs than offshore wind, hydro, marine technologies, and nuclear.

If consented, the redesigned Cairnmore Hill Wind Farm scheme will generate enough clean renewable low-cost electricity for approximately 28,000 homes. With the rising cost of living and current energy crisis, it is imperative that we deliver electricity efficiently and at lowest cost to the consumer.

_{The 28,000 homes equivalent figure has been calculated by taking the predicted annual electricity generation of the site together with RES’ predicted capacity factor of 49.66% and dividing this by the annual average electricity figures from DESNZ showing that the annual GB average domestic household consumption is 3,239 kWh (January 2024). Final wind farm capacity will vary depending on the outcome of planning permission and the turbine type selected.}

Energy Security

Wind energy is a free and inexhaustible resource which has an important role to play as part of a balanced energy mix. It increases energy security by reducing our reliance on imports and is not subject to sudden price fluctuations or the uncertainty of global markets.

Tackling climate change

In 2019 a ‘climate emergency’ was declared by the UK Government and the Scottish Government, as well as by The Highland Council (and other Councils), in recognition of the serious impacts around the globe caused by climate change.

The UK Government has set a legally binding target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’ by 2050 and the Scottish Government has a net zero target of 2045. Renewables, and specifically onshore wind, will play an important role in helping achieve these targets.

With the ever-growing threat of climate change and the catastrophic impacts that it could have it is critical that we transition to a zero-carbon future, and in light of the recent COP26 event in Glasgow there has never been a greater need for projects like Cairnmore Hill to help achieve net zero targets and support a ‘green recovery’.

Socio-economic benefits

The redesigned 5-turbine Cairnmore Hill Wind Farm scheme is predicted to deliver around £1.4 million of inward investment in the form of jobs, employment and the use of local services in addition to around £8.75 million in business rates to The Highland Council over its operational lifetime. Due to the wealth of businesses within Caithness itself with extensive experience and skills in onshore wind development this figure could well be higher.

We also propose to create additional benefit from the scheme through a community benefit package. RES will work with the local community to gain feedback on their priorities and deliver projects that will help to secure long-term economic, social and environmental benefits. This approach will deliver a tailored package of benefits that are aligned with the local communities’ priorities.