UK renewable energy company Low Carbon has revised the design of its High Brenfield wind farm project in western Scotland, reducing the number of turbines following consultations with the community and statutory consultees.
In October 2024, Low Carbon conducted a second round of public exhibitions in Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead, presenting a layout for 14 turbines with a 200-meter tip height to gather feedback from local residents. The company also engaged in additional consultations with key stakeholders regarding the wind farm's design.
Angus Thomson, Project Development Manager at Low Carbon, said, “The feedback we received from the community and statutory consultees has been at the core of our design decision making process.” Thomson explained that the company worked closely with its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) team to refine the wind farm's layout in response to the concerns raised during the consultation.
As a result of the feedback, Low Carbon decided to remove four turbines from the development—those closest to the settlements of Ardrishaig, Inverneill, and Lochgilphead. The revised High Brenfield Wind Farm layout will now include 10 turbines, each with a 200-meter tip height, and a maximum generating capacity of 66MW.
This revised design reduces the visual and noise impacts on nearby residents by increasing the separation distance between turbines and residential properties. The number of properties within two kilometers of a turbine has decreased significantly, from 479 in the previous layout to just nine in the current plan.
The revised design also reduces tree felling and ground disturbance, as much of the civil infrastructure has been removed. Additionally, half of the access tracks will now be upgraded forestry tracks.
Thomson emphasized the continued importance of the project in supporting Scotland's renewable energy goals: “Although we are now proposing fewer turbines, the project will still make an important contribution towards Scotland's renewable energy and climate change targets, while also delivering a significant community benefit fund to be invested in the local area.”
Low Carbon has also made progress in engaging with local communities on community benefit funding and shared ownership opportunities. Local Energy Scotland is supporting community groups interested in investing in the High Brenfield Wind Farm, while the company has partnered with Foundation Scotland to ensure the proper management and distribution of the community benefit fund.
In addition, Low Carbon has confirmed that no battery storage system will be included in the Section 36 application for the wind farm.
