Tangy III Wind Farm proposal - SSE plcsse.com/media/232350/TANGY-III-Exhibition-Boards-FINAL.pdf ·...
Transcript of Tangy III Wind Farm proposal - SSE plcsse.com/media/232350/TANGY-III-Exhibition-Boards-FINAL.pdf ·...
Tangy III Wind Farm proposalOverview
This exhibition
Since 2012, we have been exploring the possibility of repowering
and extending the existing 18.7MW Tangy Wind Farm, situated
on the west coast of the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll and Bute.
Public exhibitions were held in the local community in August
2013 to gather views on our early stage proposals following initial
These are our second public exhibitions relating to these
proposals which aim to inform the local community or other
interested parties of the final design and to explain the next steps
in the application process.
Our exhibition boards show how the design has been developed 2013 to gather views on our early stage proposals following initial
feasibility works. We have since undertaken, detailed studies,
analysis and consultation, to inform the design of the wind farm.
Our exhibition boards show how the design has been developed
through earlier consultation and the environmental impact
assessment.
Site Location
SSE Renewables
We are the renewable energy development division of SSE, operating mainly in the UK and Ireland. SSE is one of the largest energy
companies in the UK and is the largest generator of renewable energy in the UK and Ireland. Our core purpose is to provide the energy
people need in a reliable and sustainable way. Headquartered in Perth, Scotland, we employ around 19,000 people operating across
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
We are involved in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity and the production, storage, distribution and supply
of gas with around 13,000MW of generation capacity. SSE Renewables is responsible for identifying and developing new renewable
energy generation projects such as Tangy III.
©Crown Copyright and database rights 2014 Ordinance Survey 10034870
The development process
Site selectionConsideration of a wide range of criteria including wind speed,
access, grid connection, landscape, environmental and recreational
CONSULTATION PROCESS PUBLICATION
Tangy III Wind Farm proposal
access, grid connection, landscape, environmental and recreational
designations, site topography and hydrology.
Surveys underway since Spring 2012 and meteorological masts
have been operational since July 2013.
Public consultation
and first exhibition.We held our first, early
development stage, local
public exhibitions on 27
August 2013.
ScopingA Scoping Report was submitted to statutory and non-statutory
consultees on 28 June 2013.
Responses and feedback help to define the scope of the
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Scoping Report
Environmental Statement (ES)The results of environmental surveys, desk based assessments and
consultation is assessed in line with the scope of the EIA to inform
the final site layout.
This information is then presented within an ES which supports the
planning application when it is submitted to the relevant
determining authority.
Second public
exhibitionThe second local exhibition
is held to present the final
site design ahead of
submission of the planning
application.
We are here
Submission of applicationThe planning application and supporting ES will be submitted to
the determining authority who will consult with statutory and
non-statutory consultees before deciding on consent.
Copies of the application and the ES will be sent to consultees
(including local community councils). The information will be
made available for public viewing during the statutory consultation
period.
Consideration & determination of application
The application will be assessed against planning and energy
policies, together with consultee and community feedback.
The relevant determining authority will meet to decide if consent
should be granted, taking into account the recommendation of the
planning officer.
Statutory consultation
The determining authority
will undertake a statutory
consultation period where
consultees, community
councils, local people and
other interested parties
have the opportunity to
comment on our proposed
application.
Comments are made
directly to the determining
authority.
Planning Application and
Environmental Statement
Further information
(if requested)
The existing Tangy Wind Farm consists of 22 turbines each with 0.85MW capacity. The original site (Tangy I) made up of 15
turbines was consented in February 2002 followed by consent for another 7 turbines (Tangy II) given in August 2005. The current
consent expires in August 2022.
The proposed development has been designed to utilise the important resource at Tangy of a high wind speed over coastal
moorland, combined with the benefits of using an existing wind farm site and associated infrastructure. With such a good wind
The proposal
Background
Tangy III Wind Farm proposal
moorland, combined with the benefits of using an existing wind farm site and associated infrastructure. With such a good wind
resource, but with ageing turbines, we have been assessing options for the site. Options considered, included extending the site or
‘re-powering’ it with modern, more efficient turbines delivering up to 54.4MW.
We would like the opportunity to increase the efficiency of the current wind farm through replacement of the existing turbines.
Turbine technology has significantly advanced since Tangy I and II became operational, with early turbine models having been
superseded by much more efficient machines.
Wind Farm Components
In addition to the 16 proposed turbines, we are seeking consent for
the following:
• Removal of commercial forestry;
• Removal of existing wind turbines and external transformers;
• Ground reinstatement where old turbines are removed;
• Site access tracks and passing bays (of which 8.4km are new
access tracks and 3km are upgrades to existing tracks);
• A permanent meteorological mast;
• A substation and operations control building with parking and
welfare facilities;
• A network of underground cabling;
The Tangy timeline
Tangy wind farm
Tangy I consented
15 x 0.85MW turbines
(12.75MW total capacity)
Tangy II consented
+ 7 x 0.85MW turbines
(now 18.70 MW total capacity)
Tangy III constructed (if consented)
16 x turbines (each up to 3.4MW)
(up to 54.4MW total capacity)
Tangy III
Development Proposal
(Submission date TBC)
Existing Tangy
Consent expires
August 2022
Tangy I
FEB 2002
Tangy II
AUG 2005
Tangy III
2015 - 20182012 - 2014
We are
here
Tangy III operational for 25 years (if consented)
• A network of underground cabling;
• Temporary construction compound and laydown areas;
• A concrete batching plant;
• Temporary telecoms infrastructure; and
• Borrow pits to provide stone for construction. Tangy Wind Farm
Scoping
In June 2013, the proposal was submitted for scoping displaying
and indicative site boundary only, as a turbine layout was still in
development at this stage.
Design evolution
Tangy III Wind Farm proposal
Additional information gathered during the scoping stage
included hydrological, geological, ornithological, cultural heritage
and ecological considerations, which all contributed to the
development of early designs.
Second design iteration
This design consisted of 19 turbines, with a 101m rotor diameter
and up to 135m tip height.
Following the scoping stage, comments received from consultees
and feedback from public exhibitions was taken into consideration
and the design was updated to take into account:
• Technical considerations, for example access track gradients and
ground conditions, in particular the presence and depth of peat.
• Further ecological data from surveys, including the location of
sensitive habitats and the presence of protected species.
• Landscape considerations relating to the potential visibility from
key viewpoints.
Turbines at Hadyard Hill
key viewpoints.
• Potential locations for onsite borrow pits were also considered
at this stage.
Final design iteration
The design has been reduced to 16 turbines by removing 3 of the
most westerly turbines, primarily due to landscape and visual
considerations.
This design also uses as much of the existing infrastructure as is
practicable. It also includes hard standings, borrow pits, welfare
facilities and a substation.
©Crown Copyright and database rights 2014 Ordinance Survey 10034870
Tangy III Wind Farm proposal
Access
©Crown Copyright and database rights 2014 Ordinance Survey 10034870
Grid connection
Power generated from the turbines would be transferred via underground
cables to the on-site substation.
The connection to the National Grid, outwith the site, falls under a
separate application process and requires the network provider (in this
case Scottish Power) to determine the most appropriate method for
onward transmission from the re-powered wind farm.
The construction and operational access to the re-powered site would be
the same as is currently used for the existing site.
This route is along the A83 to the south of the site and connects to
Campbeltown and the B842 and B843 roads. It is envisaged that the
turbine components would be delivered to the port facilities at
Campbeltown and transported via the A83 to the site.
The B843 provides access to Machrihanish and to Wind Towers (Scotland)
Limited, where it is proposed that turbine towers will be transported from
for delivery to the proposed development..
Tower work at Wind Towers (Scotland) Ltd
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken to identify and assess the potential environmental impacts of the
proposed Tangy III Wind Farm. The information gathered through the EIA process has helped to shape the design and layout of the
proposed Wind Farm and any required mitigation measures.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental considerations
Tangy III Wind Farm proposal
OrnithologyOrnithology
Ecology
Since early 2013 a range of field surveys have been undertaken
to establish baseline conditions on-site in order to assess likely
disturbance, displacement, collision risk and barrier effects to
species of high conservation value or sensitivity to wind farms.
A range of species identified within the site area include
greenland white-fronted geese, graylag geese, peregrine falcon,
merlin, hen harrier, short-eared owl and herring gull.
Survey results and subsequent assessment have indicated that
there are no significant impacts on identified species.
Habitat and protected species surveys have been undertaken
within the site and were completed at the end of 2013.
The presence of otter, water vole, pine marten, wildcat, adder,
great crested newts and bats, amongst others, were surveyed for
within the site and the surrounding area. A range of habitats are
present including woodland plantation, rush pasture, grasslands
and mire communities.
Other environmental aspects
and mire communities.
There are no statutory ecological designations on site. Tangy
Loch SSSI is located within 100m and Machrihanish Dunes SSSI is
located over 2km away.
Assessments to date have indicated that there are no significant
impacts on protected species and habitats.
The EIA includes consideration of potential effects on traffic and
transport; noise; peat stability; cultural heritage;
telecommunications; aviation and other infrastructure.
Assessments were also undertaken on land-use; tourism and
recreation; hydrology; socio-economics; shadow flicker; climate
and carbon emissions.
Graylag goose
Otter
Landscape and visual assessment
Tangy III Wind Farm proposal
The landscape and visual assessment examines the potential visual effects associated with the presence of wind turbines and other
site infrastructure and includes temporary construction features such as construction compounds. Based on the findings of the
landscape and visual assessment, it is considered that the landscape has the capacity to accommodate a development of the scale
proposed.
The completed site survey data was fed into the site design allowing us to create a computer generated model of how the wind farm
will look from chosen viewpoints.
If you wish to view a computer generated 3D visualisation of how the final wind farm design will look from specific viewpoints, such
as residential properties, please ask a member of the project team. We are able to generate a model of the wind farm from
viewpoints as far away as 35km.
The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV), illustrated below, shows the indicative theoretical visibility of the proposed turbine layout
based on bare ground (i.e. There are no screening effects such as trees, vegetation or buildings) up to 35 km from the site, and
represents a worst case scenario.
©Crown Copyright and database rights 2014 Ordinance Survey 10034870
The Environmental Impact Assessment is nearing completion and we anticipate that an application will be submitted to the
determining authority in June 2014. The application will be widely publicised, notifying interested parties of the opportunity to make
representations, and the process for doing so.
Following the statutory consultation period, the determining authority will assess the application against planning and energy policy.
All consultee representations will be considered (including comments from the local community). A recommendation will then be
What happens next?
Next steps
Tangy III Wind Farm proposal
All consultee representations will be considered (including comments from the local community). A recommendation will then be
made regarding the determination of the application.
Commenting on the proposals
The consultation period for formal representations will open when
the application is submitted and advertised. At this time details on
how to make representations about the proposal will be
published. Depending on the final application detail , the
determining authority will be either:
The Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit,
4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay,
150 Broomielaw,
Glasgow,
G2 8LU
OR
Argyll & Bute Council
Planning and Building Standards
1A Manse Brae,
Lochgilphead,
For further information, please contact our Project Liaison
Manager:
Noel Cummins
SSE Corporate Affairs
Inveralmond House
200 Dunkeld Road
Perth
PH1 3AQ
(E): [email protected]
(T): 01738 516901
We will update the project website with information as it becomes
available : www.sse.com/tangyIII
Project contact
Hadyard Hill wind farm
Lochgilphead,
PA31 8RD
Representation must be dated and clearly state the name (in block
capitals) and full return email or postal address of those making
representations. Representations should also identify the proposal
you are writing about and specify the grounds for representation.
Tangy wind farm Tangy wind farm
Tangy III Wind Farm proposal
Local opportunities
Our approach is to ensure that as many local businesses and people as possible benefit from the opportunities our new wind
developments bring with them. Throughout the development and construction phase, and from time to time afterwards, we will look
to utilise the services and skills of local businesses which ensures that our projects have a lasting positive effect in the local area.
If our proposal is granted planning permission, and prior to construction beginning, we will hold a ‘meet the buyer’ event where we invite
local businesses and suppliers to meet our construction team and the appointed Principal Contractor in order to offer their services.
As well as direct employment, our experience shows that other local businesses such as accommodation providers, shops and suppliers
In 2013 we increased our stakeholding in Machrihanish based
Wind Towers (Scotland) Ltd to 81%, underlining our commitment
to ensuring that this business and investment stays in Scotland
and, specifically, Argyll and Bute.
As well as direct employment, our experience shows that other local businesses such as accommodation providers, shops and suppliers
benefit directly particularly during the construction phase of our projects.
Once the wind farm is operational there may be opportunities for local businesses to undertake maintenance work across the site which
could include the provision of plant or materials, fencing and drainage work, road repairs and building maintenance.
SSE Open4BusinessLocal supply chain
Tangy wind farm
To contribute to the economic well-being of the Highlands and
Islands community (under which Argyll & Bute is included) we
have developed the SSE Open4Business Highlands and Islands
web portal.
Our intention is to procure the towers for all of our future Scottish
wind farms from Wind Towers, including those required for Tangy
III.
Today there are around 130 employees at the factory, many of
whom have been recruited from the local area.
Open4Business facilitates trade and engagement between SSE and
local suppliers and service providers, providing a platform for SSE
to promote any opportunities originating in the region.
For more information about how you or your team might benefit
please speak to one of our team or visit the portal;
www.sseopen4business-highlands.com/
Living WageIn September 2013, SSE became one of the UK’s biggest Living Wage employers guaranteeing its staff at least the Living Wage, which
experts believe meets the cost of housing, food, bills and work travel costs.
From April 2014, we have extended that guarantee so that every service or works contract tendered will have an obligation for the
contractor to pay at least the Living Wage.
The development, consent and construction of a wind farm brings with it opportunities for employment, local business opportunities
and other benefits such as improvements to roads and other infrastructure. However, we recognise that our developments should also
bring more direct financial benefits to the communities that host them.
Community Investment Funds
Investing in the community
Tangy III Wind Farm proposal
We were one of the first developers to pay £5,000 p/MW in line with
the Scottish Government's current guidance on the recommended
level of Community Benefit from onshore renewable projects.
Since January 2012 , for all our new wind farms, we have been paying
£2,500 per installed MW to support the aspirations of local
community groups and organisations and placing a further £2,500
per installed MW into Sustainable Development Funds which aim to
support the aspirations of groups and organisations within the local
authority area.
Our community investment fund packages are voluntary payments
made during the lifetime of new operational wind farms.
The funds do not form part of any planning application and are not
considered during, or as part of, the planning consent determination
For over ten years now we have established funds to enable communities near our new renewable energy projects to develop
sustainably by funding charitable and community initiatives.
In Great Britain, since 2002 we have supported over 1,000 community projects with grants totalling over £13 million.
Our current policy
considered during, or as part of, the planning consent determination
process.
You can find our more about our community funds by asking a
member of the team or visiting:
www.sse.com/community/communityfunds/
Tangy 2 Community Benefit Fund
Through our Tangy 2 wind farm fund we provide around £7,500 per
year to community and charitable groups within the community
council areas of:
• Campbeltown
• East Kintyre
• The Laggan
• West Kintyre
• Southend
To find out more about applying for funding, please contact your
community council directly.