Renewable energy company RES has expressed “strong disappointment” after its proposed Cairnmore Hill wind farm in Caithness was rejected for the second time by the Highland Council under delegated powers.
The project, which had already been scaled down from eight turbines to five in response to previous feedback, was turned down despite the site being located within an area identified by the council as having “potential for wind farm development.” The proposed wind farm was set to be located about 4.5 km west of Thurso.
“We carefully considered the council’s feedback on our previous eight-turbine proposal and significantly reduced the scheme in response to this, so we’re naturally disappointed by the refusal – particularly given the importance of projects like Cairnmore Hill amidst the climate change emergency we are facing,” said Euan Hogg, RES Development Project Manager. “This project could deliver significant inward investment to the area in addition to playing an important part in helping meet Scotland’s net zero carbon targets.”
The proposed wind farm was also designed with environmental considerations in mind, including measures to enrich key habitats across the site, aiming to achieve a 16% biodiversity net gain.
Community support for the project was notably strong, with over 200 support letters submitted during the planning process. If approved, the project was expected to deliver approximately £1.4 million in local investments, create jobs, and contribute £8.75 million in business rates to the Highland Council throughout its operational lifespan.
James Mackay, a local resident from Forss, expressed his frustration at the council’s decision: “Highland Council’s refusal doesn’t make any sense. It’s a great location for a wind farm, the wind never stops blowing. Their decision means that we’re missing out on local construction jobs and contracts as well as much-needed funding for community groups in Forss and Thurso.”
RES had also committed to offering a tailored benefits package aligned with local community priorities. The company noted that the Cairnmore Hill wind farm could generate enough clean energy to meet the annual demand of approximately 28,000 homes, while also helping to offset around 23,736 tonnes of carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel use.
Following the refusal, RES indicated it would review the council’s decision and explore potential next steps for the site.
