Statkraft has reduced the tip height of three turbines at its proposed Energy Isle project on the island of Yell in Shetland in what it says is the final amendment to the long-running planning application.
The company, in a supplementary environmental information filing, has proposed cutting three turbines from 200 metres to 180 metres.
The final proposals for the Energy Isles wind farm include 23 turbines, 14 with a tip height of 200m and nine with a tip height of 180m, with an installed capacity of approximately 160MW.
Previously the application, which was validated in May last year, had featured 17 200 metre machines and six 180 metre ones. Originally 63 turbines had been proposed at the site.
The Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI) submitted to the Scottish Government represents the final plans for the proposed wind farm which was initially conceived by a group of local businesses in 2012, Statkraft said.
The group later formed Energy Isles Ltd in 2014 to pursue the application which was originally submitted in May 2019. Statkraft was announced as the development partner in October 2019.
The development and construction phase is expected to bring a total of £20.3m of investment to Shetland.
Statkraft project mananger Charlotte Healey said: “The Energy Isles wind farm is a very important renewable energy project for Statkraft and I am very proud to see the final plans and Supplementary Environmental Information submitted to the Scottish Government.”
“Working with the initial consortium who conceived and developed this project has been nothing short of inspirational.
“The support and information we have had from the community has been incredible and they truly see the potential for this project to help transform Shetland into a hub for renewable energy.”
Energy Isles Limited’s Derek Jamieson said: “It’s been a long hard road to get to this point where the final plans for the Energy Isles wind farm can be submitted.
“The work by local folk to develop an initial idea from way back in 2012 to today shows the enthusiasm to bring renewable energy to Yell.”
“Throughout this process the project has received strong support from local folk, but we’ve also worked very hard as a team to, where possible, address matters raised by consultees and the wider public so that our final submission reflects a project we hope the communities of the North Isles can be truly proud of.”
The full application will be open for public comment between 4 September – 12 October 2020.
Statkraft is also a member of the Shetland Renewable Development Network (SRDN) and has held two suppliers’ days, attended by over 100 local businesses.
As part of the community consultation, three separate series of exhibitions have been held as the project has evolved, in June 2018, February 2019 and February 2020.
Statkraft have also held discussions locally involving Local Energy Scotland and local people over the possibility of shared ownership in the project.