Millennium

Summary

Current status : Expected to be completed by July 2008
Location : Invergarry, Highland
Number of turbines : 16
Expected capacity : 40 MW
The amount of clean energy produced annually is the equivalent to the energy consumed by: 22,400
Amount of CO2 saved : 84,000 tonnes
Planning authority : Highland Council
Project manager : Ewan Currie

The wind farm is located in the hills north of Invergarry and southwest of Fort Augustus and Invermoriston. The land belongs to the Achlain and Aberchalder Estates, and is currently used for grazing and sporting purposes. Land cover is dominated by heather moorland with areas of grassland, sedges, and reeds in wetter areas and alpine plant communities towards the summits.

Following detailed monitoring of the wind resource, electrical connection studies, environmental studies and the impact on local communities, Millennium was recognized as an ideal location for a wind farm. After carrying out extensive environmental assessment work, plans were submitted to Highland Council in November 2003.

When completed, the wind farm will have 16 turbines. Each turbine will be around 115 m high from its base to the highest point of its blade. When the wind farm is operating fully it will generate enough clean, green electricity to supply around 22,400 homes and help reduce reliance on existing less environmentally-friendly energy resources.

It is estimated that the wind farm could displace up to 84,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year which would otherwise have been produced by a power station burning fossil fuel.

The wind farm is owned by Millennium Wind Energy Limited (MWEL) which is a subsidiary of Falck Renewables Ltd. The project was developed by RDC Scotland in association with West Coast Energy Limited.

Construction began in June 2006 and the wind farm is due to begin generating electricity at the ending of July 2008. The initial phase of civil engineering work consisted of road building to create the access route to, and foundations for a new 132 kV S/S required to export the generated energy. This work was undertaken by RJ McLeod, a Dingwall based construction company.

Nordex AG was appointed as the Turnkey Contractor for the supply and construction of the wind farm. RJ McLeod was appointed by Nordex as the civil engineering contractor for the construction of the roads, crane pads and foundations. Hydro Contracting (Evanton) have been appointed as the Electrical Infrastructure Contractor. The turbines will be imported from Germany. They will be shipped into the harbour at Kyle of Lochalsh then transported by road to the site. Nordex AG will appoint specialist contractors for the transportation, erection and commissioning of the turbines.

In order to establish connection to the National Grid, Scottish & Southern Energy are constructing a new, indoor 132 kV electricity sub-station, and a short section of wood pole overhead power line to connect to the existing nearby 132 kV circuit.