Design, environmental impact assessment (EIA), stakeholder consultation and consenting support for Glenmuckloch Wind Farm - a proposal for eight 3.2 MW wind turbines located on land adjacent to the Glenmuckloch opencast coal mine, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK.
Glenmuckloch Wind Farm is proposed as part of an innovative restoration project, which will include the wind turbines working alongside a proposed pumped storage hydro-electric scheme. These complimentary projects aim to secure the long term future of the site, providing ongoing jobs and economic investment.
The project would produce renewable energy to power around 16,000 homes, contributing to national climate change and energy policy targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In addition to the direct and indirect investment associated with the construction and operation of the proposed wind farm, a community benefit fund will be set up to provide over £3millon for the local community over the lifetime of the project.
Ramboll was appointed to work with 2020 Renewables and Buccleuch Estates to coordinate the design of the layout, access and supporting infrastructure. The project includes eight 133.5 m turbines, 11 km of access track, a meteorological mast and substation/control building. We developed a design that responds to the challenging site topography, while maximising the wind yields and respecting the landscape context.
Ramboll was responsible for the EIA process and coordinated stakeholder consultation to agree the scope of the EIA. We coordinated technical inputs to the wind farm design on ground conditions (peat) and noise. The EIA included assessments of landscape and visual, hydrology, ecology, ornithology, cultural heritage, noise and transport effects.
Our services included the preparation and submission of an environmental statement, planning statement and pre-application consultation report in support of the planning application. Following receipt of consultation responses, we coordinated responses and further information. The wind farm received consent from Dumfries and Galloway Council in June 2016 following a 12-month determination period.