Client: 3R Energy and ScottishPower Renewables
Location: South Lanarkshire
Date: 2019-2021
Project Capacity: 126 MW plus 40 MW storage
3R Energy and ScottishPower Renewables are proposing to develop a 21-turbine onshore wind development at Cumberhead West in rural South Lanarkshire. The site is within the wider ‘Hagshaw Cluster’ of existing and consented wind farms west of Coalburn, and takes advantage of an excellent wind resource and good access to the trunk road network and the National Grid. The proposed turbines will be up to 200 m high, with anticipated renewable electricity output being enough to power nearly 90,000 average UK households.
The proposals also include associated infrastructure and an energy storage facility of around 40 MW.
Project Details:
- Project commencement Autumn 2019
- Submission of Section 36 application to the Scottish Ministers in December 2020
- Section 36 consent awarded in November 2021
ITPEnergised acted as EIA project manager, technical lead and author to several of the EIA Report chapters, including geology, hydrology, peat and shadow flicker.
The environmental setting of the project within the wider Hagshaw Cluster was an important consideration, with cumulative effects being carefully assessed.
The EIA project team, under the management of ITPEnergised, delivered a high-quality EIA Report in a condensed programme, made possible by effective project management and past experience of successful collaborative work across the EIA team and client group.
The work undertaken by ITPEnergised on the Peat Landslide Hazard Risk Assessment was particularly commended by the Energy Consents Unit’s technical advisors, who noted, “The rationale behind their approach was both explained and justified on all points. It’s not often we see this level of attention given to a response so please pass on our thanks/appreciation to ITPEnergised.”
Outcome:
There were no statutory objections to the proposals, and consent was granted less than a year after submission of the Section 36 application.
Download a copy of the Cumberhead West Wind Farm EIA case study PDF here.
