Cruach Mhor Windfarm
Cruach Mhor Wind Farm
Renewable energy sources in the UK currently generate almost 3% of the total electricity supply, approximately 14% of which comes from wind energy. New legislation, the Renewables Obligation, has set targets on the generation of electricity from renewables to 10% by 2010.
Wind energy is the best placed technology to help meet these targets with over 40% of the available resource - enough to meet the countrys’ needs at least twice.
ScottishPower received approved on 2nd June 2003 to build a wind farm at Cruach Mhor in Glendarual with a 30MW capacity from 35 turbines - enough to power 17,000 homes.
The turbines will be tubular tower and pale grey in colour, with a maximum height from blade to tip of 71 metres. Each one will have a self-protection mechanism to enable it to shut down during very high windspeeds.
Under the Section 75 Agreement, Scottish Power will have to set up a bond of £115,000 prior to any work, to ensure that when the life span of 26 years are up, there are sufficient funds to return the land to its former glory.
Water for the areas immediately affected will be upgraded and a Community Trust Fund of £21,000 per annum for the life of the wind farm is to be set up.
Television signal problems will also be addressed, as will Habitat Management and other important areas. Numerous restrictions, including a noise management plan, will also be placed to ensure that there are no noise problems, although Scottish Power do not consider noise to be a problem.
The A886 to the West of Kilnaish Cottages is to be upgraded to allow the construction of turbine access roads in a loop arrangement. Additional road signs and removal of scrub will be implemented prior to works to ensure that the road safety criteria is met. A wash bay will also be present within the site to prevent vehicles from carrying mud on to the public road.
The contract to build the 35 wind turbines has been awarded by Scottish Power to Vestas-Celtic Wind Technology, based at Machrihanish near Campbeltown. The turbines are the company’s type V52-850kw. The contact is estimated to bring £15million into the Argyll economy.
The Management of the Trust was set up at the Argyll and Bute Area Committee meeting. There are 5 Trustees: 1 from Argyll and Bute Council, 1 from CRE Energy, 2 from the Community Council (1 from the Colintraive area and 1 from Glendaruel) and 1 elected by the community. An election was held for the return of a Community Trustee on 24th September 2003.
The first meeting of the Trustees was attended additionally by George MacKenzie of Argyll and Bute Council, an Argyll and Bute lawyer and a Trust expert from CRE energy. The Deed of Trust was drawn up at this meeting.
