projectsEnvironmental Impact Assessment
In line with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2011 and the local planning policies, our Environmental Statement covered a number of key issues associated with the project, to a level of detail believed to be appropriate to the scale of the proposed development.
The scope of the Environmental Statement covered the following:
- Project Description
- Site Selection
- Ecology and Ornithology
- Cumulative Impact
- Cultural Heritage and Archaeology
- Existing Infrastructures, Telecommunication, Television, Aviation and Electromagnetic safety
- Planning and Environmental Policy
- Local Benefit
- Landscape and Visual Impact
- Noise
- Hydrology and Hydrogeology
- Shadow Flicker
| Renewable energy | Energy from fossil fuels |
Environmental Benefits
The UK and Scottish Governments have developed ambitious targets for tackling climate change. In 2011, the Scottish Government's 'Routemap for Renewable Energy' increased the 2020 target from 50% to 100% of electricity demand being supplied from renewables by 2020.
Every unit (kWh) of electricity produced by the wind displaces a unit of electricity, which would otherwise have been produced by a power station burning fossil fuel.
Hill of Finavon wind cluster is projected to supply enough electricity to meet the needs of approximately 3,800 homes per annum and over a 25 year operational lifetime could displace some 195,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.1
1 Formula for caluclations taken from www.bwea.com Calculations for Wind Energy Statistics.
Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)
A 12 month Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) was carried out by independent and experienced ecologists Dr Garry Mortimer of GLM Ecology and Frazer MacFarlane MIEEM, Principal Ecologist, Horizon Ecology. The assessment studied the effects of the proposed wind cluster on the nature conservation interest on and around the site. The scope of the EcIA was derived from a general knowledge of the site, the issues affecting the site, and the potential for any nature conservation receptors to be affected. This was supported by consultation with a range of organisations to identify relevant information, including the presence of protected sites or species.
