Baillie Wind Farm, Scotland
Baillie Wind Farm
Baillie Wind Farm is located near the west of Thurso in the Scottish Highlands.
The wind farm has been operational since 2013. The project consists of 21 turbines, each with a capacity of 2.5 MW and with a tip height of 110m. The total capacity is 52.5 MW, the equivalent of powering approximately 38,000 homes with renewable energy.
Baillie Wind Farm provides a community benefit fund worth over £130,000 per year. The initiatives that receive funding aim to create a vibrant local community, by focusing on community improvement, outdoor activities, education and sustainability.
Site Manager:
Glyn Griffiths
| Company | Ownership share |
| Statkraft | 40.8% |
Using Local Suppliers: Blargoans
Blargoans Limited in Caithness has worked with Statkraft in the Highlands of Scotland since 2011. We spoke to managing director Martin Nicholson. Read more about his experiences working with Statkraft, and how the business and relationship has developed over time.
Community Benefit Fund
Baillie Wind Farm provides a Community Fund worth over £130,000 per year made up of two components:
A Community Benefit Fund worth over £104,000
The Caithness Business Fund worth over £26,000.
Since the fund was introduced, Statkraft has invested over £460,800 through the Community Benefit Fund and the Caithness Business Fund.
1. The Community Benefit Fund
The Community Benefit Fund is available throughout the lifetime of the wind farm and is available for groups, projects and initiatives within the West Caithness Community Council area that aim to create a vibrant community that focuses on one or more of the following:
- Community Improvement
- Outdoor Activities
- Education
- Sustainability
Residents within these boundaries are also eligible to apply for funding towards micro-generation on individual properties, up to 70 % of the investment or a maximum of £5,000.
Since the fund was established, Statkraft has invested over £425,832 into local groups, projects and initiatives.
For more information or to apply for funding from the Community Benefit Fund, please visit the Baillie Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund website.
2. The Caithness Business Fund
The Caithness Business Fund has been established to consider applications for grants in support of businesses to promote local economic growth and develop their skills base. The fund is available for those:
- Already in business or
- Looking to start a new business/enterprise
- Based in the Caithness and North Sutherland area
- Needing working capital or training to develop
Community Benefit Fund Enquiries:
Tel: 01847 500105
enquiries@bailliecommunityfund. org.uk
Caithness Business Fund Enquiries:
Tel: 01847 500104
enquiries@caithnessbusinessfund. co.uk
Key Figures for Baillie Wind Farm
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21Number of turbines
-
37 943Equivalent homes served
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£ 130 000 p.a.Community fund
LiDAR image of two horned cairns.
Statkraft and its local partners are seeking to improve public access and scientific knowledge of ancient monuments on the Hill of Shebster and Cnoc Freicedain.
As part of the wind farm construction process, AOC Archaeology Group were commissioned to carry out a detailed survey of Caithness. They used laser scanning in order to create a detailed 3D map of the historical remains hidden beneath the countryside. The survey is the first of its kind in northern mainland Scotland, and has identified sites dating from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age.
The scans found seven horned cairns near the Baillie Wind Farm site. These are approximately 5000 years old and over 60m (196ft) in length. A public car park has been built to assist public access to these incredibly well-preserved sites. To further explore Caithness’ ancient monuments (including the largest concentration of cairns in Scotland) please go to the project’s website: A Window on the Hidden Bronze Age Landscape of Caithness or visit the BBC website here.