Causeymire Wind Farm, located at Achkeepster, on the A9 road, 30km south west of John O'Groats, became fully operational in 2004. Causeymire consists of 21 turbines, and is capable of generating more than 48 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity.
Even taking into consideration times of low wind speeds, Causeymire is powerful enough to supply clean electricity to approximately 25,000 homes each year, put another way, enough to meet the annual domestic electricity needs of Caithness twice over*1.
An application has been made to allow an additional 3 turbines, already consented by the Highland Council, to be constructed and generate on the existing site. This would increase the capacity to more than 55 megawatts, raising the number of homes Causeymire can supply each year to some 28,500.
As the additional 3 turbines would give the project a capacity of more than 50 megawatts, under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, this application must be decided by the Scottish Executive.
npower renewables has been progressing the Causeymire Wind Farm proposal since 1998. The site was initially selected as suitable for a wind farm because it has a number of attributes which have allowed npower renewables to design a wind farm with minimal environmental effects and high energy output, as follows:
- Outside International, National and local designations for landscape and ecology (flora and fauna)
- Excellent roads access - an important consideration during the construction period
- Good electrical infrastructure
- Caithness has high wind speeds ensuring high productivity and high electricity output
Causeymire Wind Farm aerial view.
Notes
1. According to the 2001 Census data there are 10,870 households across the Caithness area
Causeymire Wind Farm
