Proposed Extension, Novar Wind Farm
The existing Novar Wind Farm is located on the hills of the Novar Estate in Ross-shire, north of Inverness and was developed and is operated by npower renewables. The wind farm covers an area of 300 hectares but the turbines themselves only take up 1% of that land. It is located at an altitude of about 600 metres above sea level and its immediate environment consists of moorland used for light grazing and the support of game at very low intensity.
For further information on the existing Novar Wind Farm please click on the 'Existing Novar Wind Farm' option on the menu bar to the left.
A planning application to extend the existing Novar Wind Farm was submitted to Highland Council in May 2003 . The proposed extension originally comprised 18 new, more powerful wind turbines situated to the south and west of the existing wind farm. Following discussions with the planning authority and statutory consultees such as Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Scotland, a revised proposal of 16 turbines was submitted in October 2004.
Each of the new turbines would generate substantially more electricity and would be larger than those already operating at the existing site. Rated at between 1.3 and 2 megawatts (MW) each - giving a combined maximum of up to 32MW - the extension would generate enough electricity each year to supply the average needs of up to 15,500 homes (averaged out across the year and taking into account times of low wind speed).
The site was selected as suitable for a wind farm as it benefits from a number of features that allow us to design an environmentally-friendly wind farm:
- Outside International, National and Local designations for landscape and ecology.
- High wind speeds ensuring high productivity and high electrical output.
- Good distance from existing properties.
- Excellent road access - an important consideration during the construction period.
npower renewables commissioned a number of independent consultants to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment of the wind farm proposal. This formed the basis of the planning application. For further information on these studies click on the "Environmental Impact Assessment" option on the menu bar to the left.
After more than two years in the planning process, Ross & Cromarty Planning Committee approved the proposal for planning permission at a special meeting on 20th June 2005.
