Fred Olsen Renewables has applied for permission to develop a 65MW wind project in the Scottish Highlands.
The proposed site for Balnespick Wind Farm is located 5.6 km east of Tomatin and 6.6 km north-west of Carrbridge, in the Highlands.
If consented the wind farm will generate up to 64.8MW of clean electricity and could provide power directly to Tomatin Distillery.
Balnespick Wind Farm has been the focus of community consultation since 2023 and consists of nine turbines up to 200 metres to tip, alongside a battery storage facility.
The feedback gathered locally has helped to influence many elements of the project – including the benefits it will deliver locally and helped to create a unique partnership between wind farm developers locally focused on responding to the needs of the area.
Kelly Wyness, Senior Project Manager at Fred Olsen Renewables, said: “Our plans for Balnespick Wind Farm have been designed to deliver for the Highland economy, tourism and community.
“A private wire to Tomatin Distillery could help the distillery to cut its energy costs, reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and increase its use of non-fossil fuels.
“In turn we have also been working with local stakeholders to ensure that developers can collectively deliver for the local community, maximise the economic benefits that our proposals can bring to the area and support local aspirations.”
The proposals for Balnespick Wind Farm include a commitment to work with Tomatin Distillery to explore the potential to deliver a private wire of electricity directly from the wind farm, in turn helping the distillery to cut its energy costs and emissions while increasing its consumption of non-fossil fuels.
A spokesperson for Tomatin Distillery said: “Having produced whisky for 128 years, Tomatin Distillery is committed to delivering long-term economic, environmental and social sustainability.
“The environment is a key consideration in many of our decisions.
“Amongst many of our initiatives, in 2013 we became the first distillery in Scotland to install an environmentally efficient wood pellet fueled steam boiler for use in our production process.
“So, the opportunity to source our electricity requirements from a local low carbon supplier, like the Balnespick Wind Farm, is aligned with our commitments to both our net zero ambitions and to supporting the local economy.”
Fred Olsen Renewables and Tomatin Distillery plan to partner with Caldera, to decarbonise whisky production.
Electricity produced at Balnespick, provided via the private wire, will be used by Caldera’s Storage Boilers, storing it as heat for use in distillation.
Balnespick Wind Farm will also provide a community benefit fund valued at over £11m (index linked) over the 35 year lifespan of the wind farm.
Wyness added: “We are committed to ensuring that all of our developments make a positive contribution to the country’s climate change targets and supports energy security.
“However, we also recognise that our proposals need to go much further than that – and we hope that Balnespick Wind Farm can help to demonstrate the true opportunities that a wind farm can provide.”