Slickly wind farm

About the proposal

Slickly Wind Farm would represent a natural extension to the existing cluster of wind turbines at Stroupster. As set out in the Highland Council’s: Onshore Wind Supplementary Guidance, new wind energy developments in north-east Caithness are significantly constrained to ensure the relationship between development scale and landscape character and setting is maintained.

However, the Highland Council have stated there is scope to consolidate and improve the existing layout of Stroupster. Slickly Wind Farm will achieve this through careful design with Stroupster and avoiding cumulative effects by ensuring turbine height and proportions work with the existing turbines.

The location is considered suitable for a wind farm due to its high wind speeds. Work will now progress on the detailed design of the wind farm to minimise effects on the environment and communities. The views of local communities are important in helping us to ensure the design of the wind farm is as acceptable as possible.

As a responsible developer and operator of renewable energy projects, our approach to development involves consulting widely with local communities. Our proposal is still at an early stage and your views are very important to us and will be a key consideration when finalising the design and layout of the wind farm.

The proposed development is for a wind farm of up to 11 wind turbines that has the potential to generate up to 37.4 MW of clean electricity. It would be sited 1.5 km east of Slickly, on land adjacent to the existing Stroupster wind farm development. The proposed site lies approximately 8 km south west of John O’Groats.

Community, economic and enviromental benefits

Why do we need another wind farm?

Climate experts agree on the urgency of ending our reliance on unsustainable and climate change causing fossil fuels like coal and oil. To guarantee future supplies of heat and electricity, we must turn instead to harnessing power from nature’s own unlimited resources of sun, wind and water. Statkraft is a proud investor in Scotland’s forward-thinking renewables policy and the much needed economic regeneration it will bring to rural communities across the country.

Slickly Wind Farm Community Liaison Group

Statkraft has built its reputation on putting communities first. We want our developments to have a positive and lasting impact on those who live and work in the surrounding areas. Therefore we will establish a Slickly Wind Farm Community Liaison Group and we have had initial meetings with representatives from Dunnet and Canisbay, Castletown and Sinclairs Bay Community Councils and we are in discussions with Bower Community Council. The Liaison Group will provide a forum where local community representatives can feedback your valued opinions on all aspects of the project and receive updates on the proposed development.

Local development trust for local people

The potential community benefit fund for an operational Slickly Wind Farm could deliver as much as £187,000 per annum which equates to up to £4.6 million over the lifetime of the wind farm.

Statkraft would like to explore, with local communities, the use of this fund to promote projects to enhance the quality of life for local communities and visitors through investment in the natural, built and cultural heritage in and around the wind farm.

We believe that such a fund would be an opportunity to invest in communities close to the wind farm and that it could be used to create an ongoing and sustainable legacy that will outlast the turbines.

Creating jobs, boosting economies

The renewable energy sector in Scotland is now a significant contributor to the local, regional and national economy. If the Slickly Wind Farm is consented, we will invite local companies to tender for contracts during the construction phase.

We would hope to procure a range of services from local companies including construction work, drainage contractors, concrete suppliers, metal fabricators, plant hire, cleaning, waste management, security, fencing contractors and catering and accommodation suppliers. We have had early discussions with Caithness Chamber of Commerce to help us reach out to local companies and suppliers. We believe that by using the local workforce where possible, the development can have a direct and positive effect on the local economy.