A windfarm developer is planning to build fewer – but bigger – turbines at a Highland beauty spot.
Dorset-based Infinergy has submitted a fresh “repowering” planning application to Highland Council for the Tom nan Clach scheme on the Dava Moor which was consented in July 2013.
It reckons more recent technology will allow it to produce 26% more power than originally envisaged from 13 turbines compared with the 17 consented.
The company, in partnership with the Earl of Cawdor, says wind turbine technology has “evolved and improved a great deal in the last three years.”
The revised proposal is for turbines almost 50ft taller, taking them to 410ft.
Tom nan Clach Windfarm, between Grantown and Nairn, was rejected by the council five years ago.
Infinergy subsequently appealed to Scottish Government ministers who, after a public inquiry, overruled the authority.
The scheme will be built to the west of the former island lair of the notorious Wolf of Badenoch on Lochindorb.
It has a grid connection date of 2018.
Infinergy managing director Esbjorn Wilmar (CORRECT) said: “This redesign provides an opportunity to increase the renewable electricity generated on the site.
“Compared to the consented scheme, the candidate turbine importantly increases the predicted energy produced by approximately 26%. This will allow for another 19,745 homes to be supplied by renewable electricity and an approximate additional saving of 15,007 tonnes of CO2 per annum over the 25-year lifetime of the development”.
Pat Wells, convener of local opposition group Strathdearn Against Windfarm Developments, said: “The original plan would have guaranteed an eyesore on undeveloped open moorland. The new plan is much worse.
“The reduction does not compensate for the remaining 13 turbines which are more spread out across the designated Special Landscape Area – and are 50ft higher.
“They are more visible from both the Strathdearn and Dava sides of the hill. If this becomes a reality, it will bring tears to the eyes of the many thousands of people from all over the world for whom Lochindorb and Dava Moor are very special.”
She added: “Anyone unsure of the visual impact of wind turbines should take a drive down the A9 from Inverness to Daviot and look at the Moy monsters now being constructed, trashing what used to be a beautiful view.”