Orkney Islands Council has launched a consultation on revised plans for a six-turbine wind farm on the island of Faray, one of Scotland’s Northern Isles.
Initial concept plans for the Faray wind farm were presented at public events last year, and various studies carried out in the intervening period have led to layout changes including a reduction in the number of turbines from seven to six (first reported in subscriber-only reNEWS in September).
The consultation is being carried out in advance of a planning application being submitted early next year and the change will reduce capacity to 28MW from 34MW.
As the development is classed as a ‘major development’ there is a requirement to carry out a Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) although due to the pandemic the consultation will be carried out online rather in a face-to-face event.
The main online event will take place on 29 October.
The project is part of ‘Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project’ which also includes proposed wind farm developments at Quanterness and at Wee Fea in Hoy, both also featuring six turbines and the same nameplate capacity.
The projects will all have maximum blade-tip heights of 149.9 metres.
The Council’s strategic projects director Sweyn Johnston said: “We are very disappointed that we have been unable to carry out a public event for the Faray project, however the current circumstances will not allow for us to do that.
“We have worked hard to develop a consultation plan which gives as much flexibility as possible to allow folk to provide that input and are hopeful for a high level of participation.”