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Causeymire

United Kingdom

Causeymire Wind Farm is the most northerly site in the Ventient Energy portfolio.


Installed Capacity

48.3MW

No. of turbines

21

Turbine type

Siemens SWT 2.3 (B82/2300)

Hub height

60m

Blade length

40m

Expected P50 energy yield

120.4GWh

Annual house-hold power equivalent

38,392 homes*

It’s around 15 miles west-northwest of the town of Wick next to the A9 main road on the way to Thurso. The wind farm is situated on Dale Moss, a large area of peatland commanding views across the wilderness of the Flow Country to Morven, the highest point in Caithness. The land below the turbines is also used for grazing cattle.

The site was originally developed by nPower in 2003 before being transferred to Beaufort, then Infinis and now Ventient Energy. Its 21 turbines are rated at 2.3MW and the site has an installed capacity of 48.3MW, generating enough energy to power 38,392 homes*.

Benefiting local communities

The nearest community to Causeymire is at Spittal just to the north of the wind farm site while the the village of Halkirk (with an estimated population of c.970) is around 5 miles further north. The nearest town is Thurso (pop. 7600) which is close to the decommissioned Dounreay nuclear plant. The local, highly skilled work force is increasingly involved in the growing renewable energy and grid infrastructure sectors, unlocking the potential for wind, wave and tidal power developments in the area.

The Halkirk community has established The Halkirk District Benefit Fund to administer income from Causeymire Wind Farm and awards grant funding to local causes. Recent beneficiaries of the fund have included Caithness Indoor Riding School, Halkirk Community Sports Foundation and Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Society.


Causeymire Wind Farm Life Extension

Ventient Energy intends to extend the operational life of the wind farm.

We will submit a request in April 2021 to vary the existing planning consent. The existing planning consent is valid until 2028 and we are looking for a 10 year extension.

We do not intend to change the wind turbine layout or height. All wind turbines and other infrastructure will continue to operate in the same manner since the wind farm was constructed.

The wind farm employs four technicians full time. In addition, contractors involved in operation and maintenance activities use local accommodation and retail facilities when visiting the wind farm.

The Halkirk District Benefit Fund administers an income from Causeymire Wind Farm and awards grant funding to local causes. Beneficiaries have included Scotscalder Hall renovation, PPE equipment for frontline workers and free hot meals for the elderly and vulnerable during the Coronavirus pandemic, Halkirk Community Sports Foundation and Caithness Indoor Riding School.

The current contribution to the Halkirk District Benefit Fund would be increased to £144,900 per annum during the proposed period of extended operation beyond September 2028.

The wind farm also contributes just over £500,000 annually to local government through business rates.

Any questions relating to the life extension application should be directed to WindFarms@ventientenergy.com

Any questions relating to this wind farm should be directed to: windfarms@ventientenergy.com

*Based on the Installed Capacity x Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) "all wind" load factor expressed as a fraction of 1^ x number of hours in a year (8,760 hours) / Average Annual Domestic Electricity Consumption (MWh)^^

^BEIS's long-term average load factor for "all wind" (31.84%) expressed as a fraction of 1 (0.3184). Source for capacity factors is Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics (DUKES) published annually by BEIS.

^^Annual GB Average Domestic Consumption Values from BEIS (3,509kWh).

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