Latest news

January 2012

We've begun further work on site with our principal contractor Morrison Construction Ltd to prepare for the next stage of construction. This will include building a temporary construction compound, wind turbine foundations, a permanent met mast and more site access tracks. We hope to be fully operational by mid 2013.

Click here to read more (PDF, 59KB)

2011

Since receiving consent to build Camster Wind Farm, we've been working closely with the Highland Council and statutory stakeholders to ensure we comply with and discharge the planning conditions.

Forestry felling to enable detailed ground investigation works commenced November 2010 and preparations for site access have been completed that include the installation of three new bridges spanning water courses and the upgrade of existing and new construction of 7km of tracks.

The import of aggregates has been kept minimal due to extracting aggregates from an existing on site borrow pit. Approximately 35,000 tonnes of aggregate has been won on site thus reducing the impact of traffic on the local roads.

Local contracts awarded

The principle contractor for the works completed were given to Morrison Construction based in Inverness, forestry removal to Scottish Woodland, aggregates supplied from a local quarry in Caithness operated by John Gunn & Sons and wherever possible local sub-contractors have been used for the smaller packages of work. The main wind farm construction works have not yet been awarded to a principle contractor but this is anticipated to be awarded around August 2011.

The project is expected to be ready for construction from September 2011. The first of the 25 turbines should arrive on site September 2012 with all turbines installed by spring 2013.

The grid connection date is set for October 2012, this will allow the turbines being installed to be energised via an imported electrical supply and allow the turbines to commence the commissioning process.

Community liaision group set up

We held our first Camster Liaison Group meeting on Wednesday 9 June 2010. The group was set up to provide open and clear communication between local residents and the development team of Camster wind farm. The group included local councillor David Flear and representatives of Watten; Tannach and District; and Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Councils

Dean Guy, E.ON project developer, said: "This was the first of an ongoing series of meetings which will take place during the construction of the wind farm. These meetings will make sure the local community is kept up-to-date with the project and allow us to discuss any concerns."

Jim MacDonald, chairman of Watten Community Council, was chosen to chair the Liaison Group. Mr MacDonald said: "This was a constructive, informative meeting and we look forward to working with E.ON throughout construction."

Planning consent given

We received planning consent for Camster on 13 January 2009 from the Highland Council after a four year planning process.

In February 2008 we submitted a new access route proposal for the Camster wind farm project. Plans were displayed at two public exhibitions on 5 March and 6 March 2008.

The newsletter below gives more details about the project.

Camster Newsletter (PDF; 176KB)

Why Camster?

The proposed development lies outside any areas designated by statutory bodies for their ecological, geological or landscape value. The turbine layout has been designed to minimise potential visual impact while remaining technically feasible and capable of satisfying constraints from various interests.

A planning application and associated Environmental Statement was submitted to the Highland Council in December 2004.

The Camster wind farm would:

• Provide electricity equivalent to about 35,000 homes *
• Save more than 71,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year**
• Contribute to Scottish Government Renewable Energy Targets (31% by 2011, 50% by 2020).
• Provide a community benefit fund over the lifetime of the project.
• Aid the local and regional economy through construction contracts and further operations and maintenance work for local contractors.
  

* UK average annual consumption 4,725 KWh per home

**Carbon dioxide figure based on 430g CO₂/kWh for UK 'energy mix'