Frequently Asked Questions
Who is RES?
RES is a British company with headquarters in Hertfordshire. It is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company, working across 24 countries and active in wind, solar, energy storage, green hydrogen, transmission and distribution. As an industry innovator for over 40 years, RES has delivered more than 27GW of renewable energy projects across the globe and supports an operational asset portfolio exceeding 41GW worldwide for a large client base.From our Glasgow office RES has been developing, constructing and operating wind farms in Scotland since 1993. We have developed and/or built 22 wind farms in Scotland with a total generation capacity of 660MW and currently operate over 550MW of wind farms across the country.
Where will the wind farm be?
The proposed wind farm is located approximately 5.5km1 south of Tomatin. You can see a site location plan here.
How many wind turbines will there be?
The final design for the Clune Wind Farm consists of 26 turbines.
Why here?
The site was chosen because it has good wind resource, few ecological constraints, straightforward access and is close to a viable grid connection.
What stage is the project at?
RES has now submitted a Section 36 application for consent to the Scottish Government. You can view the planning application here
What would the wind farm look like?
A Landscape and Visual Assessment (LVIA) has been undertaken for the proposed wind farm and considers any likely significant landscape and visual effects.
You can view the LVIA and see photomontages from 25 viewpoints on the planning application page (Volume 2b and 2c)
How will you ensure the wind farm doesn’t impact the wildlife in the area?
Protecting and minimising any potential direct or indirect impacts on local wildlife and their habitats is of utmost importance and we take this responsibility seriously. A wide range of ecological and ornithological studies have been undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment work.
If the wind farm is consented, a Species Protection plan will be implemented during the construction phase to ensure that relevant wildlife legislation is adhered to. Furthermore, a Biodiversity Enhancement Management Plan will be developed for the operational phase and agreed with consultees, to mitigate or enhance habitat for important ornithological and ecological features and to provide wider biodiversity improvements.
Will the wind farm be noisy?
Operational and construction noise assessments will be undertaken in accordance with the relevant standards, current assessment methodologies and best practice. Background sound surveys will be recorded at a number of locations around the site to measure the existing background sound levels.
The results of the background sound survey will then be analysed by our acoustics team and will inform the setting of the noise limits which the wind farm must operate under. These limits will be agreed with the regulatory authority, and the site will be required to comply with these strict noise limits set within planning conditions.
How will you get the turbines to the site?
Turbine deliveries are a key phase in the construction of any wind farm. We have undertaken a Swept Path Analysis, pinch point and traffic volume analysis to assess route options and help minimise any potential impacts.
We expect the wind turbines to come from Inverness on the A9 and more information on the access route can be found on the application document page (Volume 1, Chapter 10).
Would the wind farm impact peat on site?
A detailed peat survey has been conducted at the proposed turbine and infrastructure locations to complete our peat data. We will follow best practice construction methods throughout to ensure minimal disruption and we will seek to undertake restoration and enhancement measures.
More information on peat can be found on the application document page.
Are there any potential health impacts?
Whilst multiple, peer reviewed and independent studies have shown there is no connection between wind turbines and negative health effects, it is still a matter we take seriously.
One of the most common concerns relates to low-frequency noise commonly known as infrasound. Low frequency noise is not audible or perceptible to humans as it occurs at similar levels to pre-existing background levels. Multiple organisations and studies from around the world, including the World Health Organisation, indicate that there is no evidence that any infrasound/low frequency noise from wind turbines directly causes health impacts or can otherwise impact on the amenity of those living or working near wind turbines.
Can wind turbines be recycled?
While about 90% of turbines are easily recyclable, turbine blades are not widely recyclable yet. The industry recognises this and extensive work is underway to establish a circular economy.
There is research underway into producing a 100% recyclable turbine blade and a recent pilot project in Northern Ireland has developed a scalable method to recycle 100% of turbine blades, ensuring that valuable resources are turned into new products that can substitute materials such as virgin plastics, steel, and concrete instead of simply going to waste.
There are also options for blade re-purposing. Blade material is incredibly strong and when in a suitable condition, it can be repurposed for new structures. This reduces landfill, retains embodied carbon in the material, reduces the need for virgin material and creates skilled jobs.
Whilst there are a finite number of other structures which could be constructed from blade material, there is also potential to refurbish blades for use as second-hand blades.
Wouldn’t manufacturing wind turbines produce more carbon emissions than they save in their lifetime?
Harnessing of wind for the generation of electricity may rely on a renewable source of energy, but it must also prove to be sustainable. A typical modern wind turbine’s carbon payback time ranges from 1 to 3 years, equating to between 1% and 4% of the wind turbine’s lifetime.
A modern wind turbine would be expected to return at least 20 times the energy invested in it as renewable electricity.
A Climate Change Assessment forms part of the application and estimates the carbon payback time of Clune Wind Farm to be 0.9 years (approximately 11 months). This is the period of time for which a wind farm needs to be in operation before it has, by displacing generation from fossil-fuelled power stations, avoided as much carbon dioxide as was released in its lifecycle. Please visit Volume 3b - Technical Appendix 12.2 – Carbon Balance Calculator on the application document page for more information.
Do wind farms affect property values?
Queries are often raised in relation to the potential of wind farms to impact upon the value of house prices as there can be a perception that there must be a negative effect on house prices. Property value is subjective and can be affected by a range of factors.
There is no firm evidence on whether UK onshore wind farms do or do not affect house prices, this is further evidenced from various studies on the same topic having starkly different results. We are aware of residents close to other renewable energy projects, who enjoy having renewable energy projects close by and believe that they add value to their community.
Why onshore wind?
We are facing a climate emergency, and at the same time seeking to enhance the security of our energy supply. Onshore wind can address both of these.
Wind energy is a free and inexhaustible resource which has an important role to play as part of a balanced energy mix. It increases energy security by reducing our reliance on imports and builds our resilience to sudden price fluctuations or the uncertainty of global markets. It can be quick to build and the carbon payback time is usually within 1-3 years.
Onshore wind, alongside other renewable technologies, can generate the cheapest form of new electricity generation2.
Don’t we have enough wind farms in Scotland as a whole now?
The Scottish Government is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest.
It is important to note, carbon reduction is required across all sectors, including heat, transport and industrial processes, which are currently heavily reliant on fossil fuels. It is forecast that Scotland’s peak demand for electricity will at least double within the next twenty years as a result.
This will require a substantial increase in installed capacity across all renewable technologies, including onshore wind.
There are significant grid infrastructure development plans in place that will build out throughout the second half of this decade that will allow for a far higher output of electricity generation from wind and other renewables in Scotland and reduce our reliance on expensive gas back up.
Onshore wind added £2.4 billion to Scotland’s economy in 2019 and employs over 8,700 people.
How will the local community benefit from the proposed Clune Wind Farm?
RES seeks to be a power for good in the communities that neighbour its projects by working openly and constructively to ensure tangible local benefits.
Some of the most direct and meaningful benefits that can be delivered from a wind farm proposal like Clune are jobs and employment for local businesses and contractors, in addition to the use of local services and amenities, all of which can generate a significant amount of inward investment within the area.
RES is committed to using local contractors in all aspects of the project. If you’re a local business interested in getting involved in onshore wind then please contact us.
A tailored community benefits package to support the local area and help to secure long-term economic, social and environmental benefits would be delivered if the project is consented. The community fund is not linked to profit but a set sum equivalent to £5,000 per MW and would be index-linked.
Will you offer shared ownership?
RES is interested to understand whether there is any appetite from the community in exploring the opportunity of shared ownership in the wind farm. If shared ownership is something that interests you, we would love to hear from you.
Local Energy Scotland is the independent body that manages the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). To find out more about the scheme visit: https://localenergy.scot/hub/shared-ownership/
What happens next and how do I have my say?
You can view electronic copies of the application here or on the Energy Consents Unit’s (ECU) website by searching for application ECU00005038 at https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationSearch.aspx.
In addition, hard copies of the documentation are available at the following locations during normal opening hours for public viewing:
- The Strathdearn Hub, Tomatin, IV13 7YN
A statutory consultation period is being held by the ECU to enable the public, as well as key consultees, to submit formal representations on the proposals. Feedback will be assessed against the proposals and a determination made by Scottish Ministers.
You can submit a representation to the ECU in the following ways:
- Online: Accessing the Online Planning Information System, and leave a comment on application ECU00005038 at https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationSearch.aspx
- Email: Contact the Energy Consents Unit at representations@gov.scot, quoting the reference ECU00005038 including your full name, address, and the date in your email.
- Post: Writing to Energy Consents Unit, Scottish Government, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow G2 8LU and quoting the reference: ECU00005038, your full name, address, and the date.
1 This distance is given from the approximate centre point of the site to Tomatin.
2 https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4122038/wake-opponents-net-zero-government-predicts-gas-power-times-expensive-renewables-2025