The Highland Council has turned down Cairnmore Hill wind farm in Scotland, according to RES.
The eight-turbine project, located 4.5km north-west of Thurso is in an area identified by the Highland Council as having “potential for wind farm development”, RES said.
The developer now has three months to consider whether it wishes to appeal the Highland Council’s decision.
RES project manager Paula Batchelor said: “We’ve been talking to the local supply chain in Caithness for some time and what we know is that there is no shortage of experienced local businesses, capable of working on projects like Cairnmore Hill.
“If the project had been backed by Highland Council, we would now be planning for the start of construction and seeking to partner will those local businesses to deliver contracts worth around £2.2m.”
She added: “Naturally we’re disappointed by the Council’s decision but it’s also a big missed opportunity for the local workforce, businesses and our environment.
“We’re also frustrated that this important decision was taken by Highland Council without the project going to a planning committee, especially given they have backed the need for a Green Recovery to meet our climate change commitments.”
RES said the project “received positive feedback from the public” at the 2016 and 2019 exhibition events held by RES in Forss and Thurso.