MAP: Proposed location of the Islay Offshore wind farm site SSE Renewables entered into an agreement for lease with the Crown Estate in October 2011 to develop a 690MW offshore wind farm 13km off the west coast of Islay. If consented, the project will generate enough energy to power roughly 732,660 homes* as well as provide a number of long term socio-economic benefits to Islay and the wider Argyll and Bute region; such as job creation, skills development, investing in and developing facilities at local ports and harbours, local construction spend and utilisation of local businesses. Over the past few years we have been working closely with local stakeholders to progress a suitable offshore wind farm application for submission to the Scottish Government. Submission of our consent application is expected in 2014, until then we will focus on securing a suitable grid connection and progressing our application for a met mast on Orsay Island. The met mast is necessary to progress the project and assess the technical feasibility of the offshore wind farm. This event will provide further information on our plans for our met mast which is currently awaiting determination from Argyll and Bute Council. *Based on household consumption of 3,300kWh a year
MAP: Our proposed met mast location Our Site Selection Process for the Met Mast SSE Renewables undertook a rigorous site selection exercise before a decision was made to submit the planning application for Orsay Island (Planning Ref: 12/02315/PP). In Oct 2010, SSE Renewables applied to Argyll and Bute Council for a met mast at Ballanby. During the consultation phase, key statutory stakeholders objected to this location due to impact on protected sites and species. As a responsible developer, this application was later withdrawn in Dec 2011 to consider alternative options. SSE Renewables was keen to ensure that a good site was supported by statutory consultees and undertook an investigative site selection process working with the organisations who objected to the first met mast application through this process, three possible sites were identified as suitable. Because the majority of the land areas to the west are protected under European legislation with limited development opportunities due to their sensitive nature, suitable sites are limited. In order to protect the identity of landowners at the three chosen sites, we chose not to reveal the exact locations suggested. Once identified, these three sites were explored further to identify risks and further match our necessary criteria for met mast development. Further information on this criteria is detailed on the next board.
Our Met Mast Site Criteria Met masts are the most accurate and reliable method for assessing the wind capability of a potential site and are crucial to assess the financial and technical feasibility of a wind farm. Without accurate wind data we cannot measure the conditions on the site and progress our offshore wind farm. The met mast measures the wind speed at precise heights, wind direction, temperature and pressure. In order to progress a suitable site for a met mast we need to investigate each location thoroughly using the following criteria. Our met mast needs to be placed as near to the wind farm site as possible to accurately measure wind data for the offshore wind farm. The closest land area to our site is to the west of Islay. Because the majority of the land areas to the west are protected under European legislation with limited development opportunities due to their sensitive nature, suitable sites are limited. In addition, to successfully progress a suitable met mast site we need to meet the following criteria: TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY Can we build it safely? Is the site accessible for installation and maintenance? NO ECOLOGICAL RESTRICTIONS Will the mast impact local wildlife or any other site designations? LANDOWNER AGREEMENT Do we have a willing landowner who will lease the site to us?
Our Community Engagement SSE Renewables takes community engagement seriously and by local request, members of the Islay project team have been visiting the island quarterly to update key stakeholders on the offshore wind farm, including the onshore met mast, and provide an opportunity for any concerns to be voiced directly. As part of the engagement process, we meet regularly with Islay Community Council who represent the wider community of Islay and is a statutory consultee on planning related matters. We find the Community Council meetings to be the most useful forum to discuss our development since all meetings are advertised in advance, all meetings are public and are documented on the community council s website and in the Ileach newspaper. We have also regularly updated our website with the latest information on the met mast proposal as it has progressed. On submission of the application to Argyll and Bute Council, plans for the met mast were advertised in local press and were publicly available to view in the Post Office in Portnahaven. IMAGE: Example of a 70m Met Mast from 650m away SSER will continue to operate an open, two way dialogue with local community groups and residents throughout the development and planning process. We have amended our planning application following community feedback To try to address community concern towards the met mast we have: REDUCED THE HEIGHT OF OUR USUAL MET MAST - Temporary met masts are typically up to 90m in height; our proposed met mast is smaller at 60m in height to reduce visual impact. REDUCED THE PLANNING CONSENT PERIOD APPLIED FOR While the mast is a temporary structure, to help address community concern we reduced the temporary consent period from our original application of 6 years to 4 years. PRODUCED A PHOTOMONTAGE OF THE MET MAST It is not typical to produce a photomontage of a met mast since it is a temporary structure, however we were keen to go the extra mile to address local concerns and give an accurate representation of what the structure might look like. The photomontage can be viewed on the next board and is also available to view at www.sse.com/islay and on Islay Community Council s website. HELD AN INFORMATION EVENT FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS We are holding this event today following requests from local residents and stakeholders.
Next Steps Our met mast application is currently awaiting determination by Argyll and Bute Council s Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee. Determination is expected shortly. If consented, another information event will be held on Islay to provide information about construction plans. If approved at committee, our met mast will be installed this year, over a few days, by an experienced contractor using well established methodologies. If refused by the planning committee, we will review our options and engage with local stakeholders regarding our next steps. Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm, Suffolk Installation, maintenance and decommission if consented The mast is a temporary structure (4 years) and once the consent period is complete the structure would be completely removed and the land reinstated to its previous condition. After the four year period is complete, further planning permission would need to be applied for in order to extend the mast s use however it is unlikely that this will be required. Installation would involve no concrete foundations and would only minimally disturb the flora and fauna. No new infrastructure such as toilets / welfare facilities would be built on the island although temporary facilities would be placed there during construction. Only existing access tracks and points would be used. The MOD and HIAL have requested that a 32 candela aviation light be installed on the met mast if consented this light is low intensity and is non flashing to reduce local impact. In comparison, the neighbouring Orsay lighthouse emits 600,000 candela and flashes every 5 seconds. The Lighthouse is located 200m away from the met mast. Minor maintenance visits to inspect the mast would take place at 6 monthly intervals. Maintenance is carried out from ground level and the mast remains upright throughout. Major maintenance would be carried out at approximately 2 year intervals. During major maintenance the mast is lowered to ground level and the instruments, bird diverters and guy wires replaced as required. CONTACT US For further information on the Islay Offshore Wind Farm project please visit our project website: www.sse.com/islay Should you have any questions or concerns following this event please contact the Community Liaison contact for the Islay project: Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm Kirstanne McDowall Corporate Affairs SSE 1 Waterloo Street Glasgow G2 6AY kirstanne.mcdowall@sse.com 0141 224 7569