Energy / Fewer turbines but more height as Statkraft revises wind farm design
The developer also wants to increase amenities on offer at the Mossy Hill site, including a cycle route
THE DEVELOPER of the proposed Mossy Hill wind farm on the outskirts of Lerwick wants to reduce the number of turbines by four – but increase the size of the eight which will remain.
If the revised plans are given consent, the eight turbines would have a height of 155 metres – the same as the Viking Energy ones.
Developer Statkraft is also proposing enhanced amenities on the wind farm site as it redesigns the development, which it bought from Peel Energy last year along with the Beaw Field wind project in Yell.
This includes a cycle path which could potentially run between the north exit of Lerwick to near the shooting range at the Black Gaet, meaning cyclists could avoid having to go on the A970.
Paths would generally be improved too to offer accessibility to all, with seating areas also planned as well as an office for Statkraft itself.
The developer says the plan to rework the site comes following “constructive feedback” from consultation events held earlier this year on a Mossy Hill substation.
The Mossy Hill wind farm – located between Lerwick and Scalloway – received planning consent from councillors for 12 turbines in 2019 but a revised design means a fresh planning application is required.
As the development would still be under 50MW the wind farm would again go in front of elected members on Shetland Islands Council’s planning committee for decision.
At the moment Statkraft is expecting a grid connection in 2028. Work on trial pits is expected to get underway in the coming months.
Currently Statkraft is not ruling out the prospect of the wind farm providing power for hydrogen production, with the team still considering export routes.
Statkraft has been exploring the potential for a hydrogen project near Lerwick, with the developer looking at the area around 4km outside of town.
Meanwhile two public consultation events are taking place in the coming weeks on the new plans, with more expected later in the year.
The first will be held at Islesburgh in Lerwick on Tuesday 20 August, from 1pm to 7pm. The second will be at the Scalloway Hall the following day (21 August) from 9am to 3pm.
Under the existing consented plans, the generating capacity would be 48MW.
However, the plan to reduce the number of turbines from 12 to eight, and increase their height from 145m to 155m, would result in a reduced capacity of 36MW.
Also among the new proposed amenities are an interpretive area covering Statkraft’s projects in Shetland, and enhanced facilities on-site for visitors to the wind farm, including public toilets during office hours, a water refill station and parking.
Electric charging points would also be made available.
Speaking at a media briefing held on Tuesday, Statkraft’s principal wind project manager John Thouless said the firm wants to “do the right thing” with its first wind farm in Shetland.
It also has two wind farms proposed in yell – Beaw Field and Energy Isles, both of which have consent.
“We’d like to be a good neighbour,” Thouless added.
“We’ve obviously seen the wider developments in Shetland, so I think we need to go about things the right way”
He said it was right to look again at Mossy Hill given that it was designed almost a decade ago.
“We’ve decided to reconfigure the design, and are putting forward improved plans, meaning the visual impact of the wind farm is reduced,” Thouless said.
“I’m looking forward to continuing our conversations with the local community and explaining more about our new proposals.”
Tracey Leslie, Statkraft’s assistant Shetland project manager said: “The significant benefits we’re proposing have been driven by what Shetlanders like myself, value.
“This would see us enhancing access and cycling routes, particularly for people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility issues, allowing everyone to experience and enjoy a viewpoint of Shetland from the elevated position of our wind farm.
“The plans we have for building an office at Mossy Hill would also mean we’re able to deliver other benefits for people visiting the area too, including public toilets, a water refill station, and electric charging points.”
She added that enhanced paths could potentially almost link Lerwick and Scalloway, and would take cyclists – including tourists – off the busy A970 coming in and out of town.
Leslie, a former head of business services at Shetland Amenity Trust, said Statkraft has had discussions with Shetland Islands Council – which receives funding from the government for active travel projects – on the path element.
“It’s trying to collaborate with everybody and make sure that it’s joined up thinking,” she said.
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