Thieves have stolen a roller being used to clear the road for a community wind turbine.
Preparation work is underway to build the 283ft turbine at Cairnadilly Farm, near Auchnagatt after it was granted planning permission on appeal in 2013.
Around 20% of the profits from the mast will go to local projects in a deal struck by the Formartine Partnership.
But police are now investigating after thieves stole a vibrating roller, worth £6,000, from the site.
The “distinctive” piece of machinery, which is used to prepare and harden roads, was taken some time between Friday, June 12 and Monday, June 29.
David Smith, of Cloffrickford Renewable Energy Company, said: “The drive was away on holiday and when he came back the machine was gone, it’s really annoying.
“During that time no one was on the site unfortunately. We had the battery disconnected but that did not stop someone from stealing it. It’s just one of these things.”
Mr Smith, who is project director for the development, said he believed it was not an “amateur” thief.
“We had it wedged in and had isolated the battery, but they still got away with it. It was someone who knew what they were doing – it wasn’t an amateur.
“It’s partly our own fault.
“We’ve got gates in now, but they weren’t there at the time. We should have done the security first.
“It’s unlikely it will be found, but people in the area need to be aware.”
Originally plans for three turbines at the site were lodged in 2011, but were eventually reduced to the one.
Aberdeenshire Council rejected the scheme, but it was approved on appeal to the Scottish Government in 2013.
It is now expected the turbine will be up and running by February next year.
Mr Smith added: “Fortunately we’ve managed to get hold of another roller so we can keep going with the project, it’s more the fact we’re going to have to buy another one.
“The insurance won’t replace it – we’ll be lucky if we get half the price of it. Over the last day or two we’ve managed to get another one to keep the project on track.”
Police are appealing for anyone with information about the theft to come forward.