Experience Expertise Office Location Consultation
Transcription
Experience Expertise Office Location Consultation
Welcome Welcome to this public exhibition of our wind farm proposal. It contains important information about our plans including visual material to show what the wind farm may look like from several viewpoints. This is part of an on-going consultation process with members of the local community and other interested parties, which will continue up to the submission of a planning application and beyond. If you have any questions about our proposals, please approach a member of the ABO Wind team who will be happy to help. We hope you find the information presented here today informative and helpful. Who is ABO Wind? Experience Expertise ABO Wind is one of Europe’s most experienced wind energy developers. ABO Wind now has interests in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, France, Finland and Argentina. Livingston Inverness Finland Ireland We have been operating in the UK since 2006 and have two offices, located in Livingston and Inverness. ABO Wind recognises the importance of neighbours and the local community around a wind farm site. Our wind farm would become part of their environment for 25 years, so we design our projects to minimise environmental and visual impacts as well as manage construction to cause the least inconvenience for local people. Wiesbaden United Kingdom Heidesheim Berlin Germany Hannover Our team has expertise covering all phases of wind farm development, from site selection and land acquisition to assessing the specific wind yield for a project, technical wind farm design, planning and environmental impact assessment, bank financing, wind farm construction and operational maintenance. Nürnberg France Toulouse Orléans Consultation Helsinki Belfast Dublin Office Location Saarbrücken Rheine Spain Nantes Barleben Valencia Argentina Buenos Aires ABO Wind has successfully been developing, constructing, operating and maintaining wind farms for almsot two decades and to date has connected 500 Gran Bretaña Irlanda Alemania wind turbines generating more than Bélgica 1,000MW. Livingston Inverness Belfast Finlandia Wiesbaden Dublín Heidesheim Berlin Hanóver Toulouse Orléans Nantes Nuremberg Francia Bulgaria España México Valencia Argentina /Uruguay Buenos Aires Sarrebruck ABO Wind’s first operational UK wind farm is a three turbine development in Lairg, Sutherland which has been operational since January 2012. This is located on the common grazings of the Lairg Estate and includes a sizable crofting involvement in the project. It’s important to us that communities surrounding the site are involved early in the development process, so that suggestions and concerns can be taken on board. We hope that local residents will become involved in our wind farm proposal. The Benefits of Wind Power Onshore wind is a mature and relatively low cost renewable energy technology with a large supply chain already established and capable of making a large contribution to the progress of Scotland’s renewable energy target. Addressing Climate Change “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and since the 1950s, many of the observed changes are unprecedented over decades to millennia. The atmosphere and ocean have warmed, the amounts of snow and ice have diminished, sea level has risen, and the concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased.” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – Climate Change 2013 The Physical Science Basis “Climate change is the single greatest long-term threat to people, wildlife and our environment. In Scotland, we need to prepare now for the impacts of a changing climate and understand the best ways to adapt our society, economy and environment.” RSPB – Helping Nature to Help Us, 2013 UK Policy Climate change is recognised widely as the most serious environmental threat facing our planet. UK policy in this area is set through the Climate Change Act 2008. This reflects the Energy Policy for Europe established in 2007 which sets out the EU’s vision for Energy in the period to 2020. The UK Climate Change Programme has set targets required by the EU, whereby the UK has committed to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels.1 Targets The Scottish Government’s policy framework for addressing climate change is the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. This mirrors the UK target of reducing emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, but with a higher interim target for a 42 per cent cut in emissions by 2020.2 The Scottish Government has committed to a target for renewable sources to generate the equivalent of 100 per cent of Scotland’s gross annual electricity consumption by 2020. Achieving this target would help Scotland play a leading role in tackling climate change, increase energy security, and create an important renewable energy sector supporting thousands of jobs.3 The 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland states that the Scottish Government is committed to the continued expansion of onshore wind farms to help meet renewable targets. “Our ambition is that by 2020, onshore wind developments ranging from small community-scale to large power utility scale maximise engagement with communities: contribute electricity to renewable targets: and, through displacement of fossil fuel generation, help to reduce fossil fuel consumption.”4 Climate Change Act 2008. s 1 (1) Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, s 1(1), s 2(1) 3 Scottish Renewables (2014). Onshore Wind – What you need to know. http://www.scottishrenewables.com/media/uploads/publications/sr_ onshore_wind_briefing_040613.pdf 4 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland (2011) 1 2 How Does a Wind Turbine Produce Electricity? Wind turbines harness the power of the wind and use it to generate electricity by converting kinetic energy into electrical power. The output from a single turbine will vary depending on wind speeds. Converting Wind into Energy Wind Turbine Generator A look inside the nacelle The system controller processes information from the measuring devices and determines an appropriate alignment of the rotor. Nacelle of a Senvion 3.4M turbine The wind hits the rotor blades and causes the rotor to turn. The gearbox increases the speed by a factor of 50 to 100. The rotor shaft transmits the motion of the hub to the gearbox rotor blade The kinetic energy is transmitted from the hub to the drive shaft; from there to the gear box, which increases the rotational speed. Finally, the power is transmitted to the generator. There are also gearless turbines transmitting the kinetic energy directly to the generator. Getriebe drive shaft generator hub gear box The motor rotates the nacelle into its optimal position to the wind. The generator converts the rotational motion into electrical energy. Like a gigantic bicycle dynamo, the generator converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy. The hub transmits the rotational movement of the rotor blades to the rotor shaft. . The diagram above is an illustration of the mechanical and electrical components of a wind turbine which are housed in the nacelle, with a description of how each component works The power is then transformed from low voltage to energy grid medium or high-voltage electricity and fed into the grid. Power Output substation The main components of a wind turbine are the tower, nacelle and three blades attached to the hub. Put simply, the energy in the wind turns the blades around the hub. The hub is connected to a generator via a drive shaft, which creates electricity when the blades spin. The load factor of a wind turbine is the ratio of actual energy produced in a given time, compared with its full potential (rated capacity). A typical turbine is expected to generate approximately 20 to 40 per cent of its theoretical maximum output over a year. The average load factor for wind turbines in Scotland from 2000 to 2013 was 27.9 per cent.1 The power output from a wind farm depends largely on the strength and constancy of the wind blowing across the site. Wind turbines start to generate electricity at a wind speed of approximately 4 metres per second (m/s) or 9 miles per hour (mph) with output increasing up to their maximum rated power at a wind speed of about 15m/s (34mph). If the wind speed reaches 25m/s (56mph) the wind turbine shuts down automatically. The proportion of time that the turbines will be generating electricity is therefore dependent on the time that the wind speed is between 4m/s and 25m/s. Generation output from a wind farm is also seasonally dependent, such that approximately two thirds of the total annual energy yield from the wind farm is expected to be delivered in the six months between October and March. The electricity generated from a commercial scale wind farm such as our proposal would feed into the national grid. DECC (2014) Unchanged Configuration Load factors, Regional Statistics, Renewable Statistics https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/regional-renewable-statistics 1 Green Burn Wind Farm ABO Wind is considering the submission of a planning application for the construction of a wind farm on land at Shieldrum Farm approximately 11 kilometres north west of Alyth and 5 kilometres north east of Bridge of Cally. Proposed Development Site Description Site Selection and Site Attributes Proposed Turbine Layout The site is located within the local authority area administered by Perth and Kinross Council and is immediately adjacent to the existing Drumderg Wind Farm. We have built a strong relationship with the landowners and tenant farmer to ensure that the wind farm would be workable and effective for farming. If consented, the wind farm would provide a regular income to facilitate further investment in the farm. The site has been identified as suitable for wind energy development due to: The turbine layout for the wind farm proposal has not yet been finalised. It will depend on the outcome of our environmental assessments, consultation programme and further data analysis. We are committed at all times to working to create layouts sympathetic to local viewpoints where practicable. Good wind resource; Availability of connection to the national grid; Good transport infrastructure around the site; and The site is located in a ‘Broad Area of Search’ for wind energy developments as identified in Perth and Kinross Council’s Supplementary Planning Guidance for Wind Energy Proposals in Perth and Kinross, dated 2005. Proposed Development The proposed Green Burn Wind Farm would consist of up to 11 turbines with a capacity of up to 3 Megawatts (MW) each. The turbines would have a hub height of up to 80m and an overall tip height of up to 126.5m. The area within the red line boundary covers approximately 267ha. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011 A wind monitoring mast was installed on the site in August 2014 and results so far have been encouraging, indicating good average wind speeds. Ancillary development would include access tracks, underground cabling and a small control building housing transformers and switch gear to connect the wind farm to the national grid. It is currently anticipated that a 33kV buried cable connection will be possible at the Coupar Angus substation, approximately 18km from the site. Output The total installed generation capacity of this scheme would be up to 33 MW and, at that size, if the wind farm performs as well as the Scottish average, it could produce electricity equivalent to the demands of approximately 17,533 households* Decommissioning Typically, wind farms operate for 25 years. At the end of this period, the wind turbines will be decommissioned, taken away and the site restored to a condition required by Perth and Kinross Council. *Based on a load factor of 27.9% (Unchanged Configuration Load Factors, Regional Statistics, Renewable Statistics, DECC 2014) and domestic electrical consumption per household of 4.6MWh/a (Energy in Scotland 2014, A Compendium of Scottish Energy Statistics and Information, Scottish Government, Feb 2014.) Green Burn Wind Farm Plans Environmental Impact Assessment We are currently undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a formal process to identify and assess the effects a development may have on the environment. The findings of an EIA are reported in an Environmental Statement (ES) which will also outline how the assessment process led to the final project design and addressed any potential adverse environmental impacts. Environmental Receptors Noise Mechanical noise from modern turbines is considered to be almost undetectable.1 The main source of noise is from the ‘swoosh’ of air passing over the blades. The sound of a wind turbine from 300 metres away is similar to the sound level inside a typical living room with a gas fire switched on. There is strict guidance on noise emissions from wind turbines to ensure the protection of residential amenity. A noise assessment for this proposal is being undertaken, including background noise monitoring at properties near to the site. Noise generated from wind farm construction activities will occur only for limited periods of time and working hours will be controlled through planning conditions. British Wind http://www.british-wind.co.uk/wind_myths.html 1 Landscape and Visual Amenity We will undertake a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) to determine the potential effects of the proposed development on the existing landscape character and visual amenity. Designated landscapes and wild land within the 35km LVIA study area have been identified as follows: Cairngorms National Park; Cairngorm Mountains and Deeside National Scenic Area (NSA) and Lochnagar NSA (within Cairngorms National Park); River Tay at Dunkeld NSA; Loch Tummel NSA; Wild Land Areas; and Gardens and Designed Landscapes listed in Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Scotland’s Inventory. The proposed wind farm site is outwith any nationally and locally designated landscapes, although it may be visible from elevated areas within the Cairngorms National Park and River Tay at Dunkeld NSA. The proposed site lies within the ‘Highland Summits and Plateaux’ landscape character type. Twenty six viewpoints have been selected for inclusion within the LVIA in order to undertake an assessment of landscape and visual receptors. To help select these viewpoints, consultation has been undertaken with Scottish Natural Heritage, Perth and Kinross Council and the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Feedback from these statutory consultees resulted in the inclusion of viewpoints from the A93, A923 and summits of Ben Vrackie, Beinn a’Ghlo, Dreish and Kinnoull Hill. The viewpoints have been selected to be representative of both landscape and visual receptors and therefore include locations in different landscape character types, designated landscapes and wild land as well as key settlements, popular summits and long distance recreational routes such as the Cateran Trail and heritage paths. The five viewpoints exhibited today have been chosen to reflect closer distance views of the proposed wind farm from locations close to the places where the public exhibitions are taking place (Bridge of Cally, Blairgowrie and Alyth). The cumulative landscape and visual effects of Green Burn Wind Farm in relation to all operational, consented and proposed wind farms, as well as larger single turbines, within the study area, will also be considered in the LVIA. The key wind farms with which the proposed Green Burn Wind Farm is most likely to result in cumulative effects include the operational Drumderg and consented Tullymurdoch wind farm, which are located to the south east of the proposed wind farm, and the single turbine located at Corb. The design and layout of the wind farm is a key part of the development process. Through the iterative EIA process, our aim is to create a layout which: reduces visual impacts on local views, particularly from surrounding residential areas; relates to the scale and landform of the site and surrounding area; relates to the operational Drumderg Wind Farm as well as other nearby operational and consented wind farms; creates a compact, relatively coherent array in views from the surrounding landscape; and takes account of other environmental and technical considerations. To view a computer generated visualisation of how the proposed wind farm may look from a certain viewpoint, please ask a member of our team. We are able to generate a 3D wireline model of the wind farm from viewpoints as far away as 35km, based on bare ground (i.e. with no screening effects such as vegetation or buildings). Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Receptors Ornithology Ecology Cultural Heritage Surveys of breeding and wintering birds (undertaken between May 2011 and July 2012, and from March to August 2014), did not record any regular movements of migratory species (such as geese and swans) across the site, and we believe the site is not on any important migration routes. A limited number of wintering birds use or pass over the site, and it is not of high importance for any wintering species. Most of the site is of an open, upland nature, with habitats dominated by dry and wet heath and acid grassland. There are small areas of flushes, blanket bog and raised bog, often modified by activities such as grazing and burning. There are also small areas of conifer plantation and birch, hazel and willow scrub. There is sheep grazing throughout the majority of the site. The Dun Moss and Forest of Alyth Mires Special Area of Conservation (SAC) site which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is located in the north-east corner of the site. No turbines would be located within the SAC. No turbines would be located within the SAC/SSSI. Results of initial desk-based research and field surveys indicate there are sixteen recorded sites of historic environment interest within the development boundary of the proposed wind farm site. None of these sites is a nationally significant scheduled monument provided with statutory protection. The site holds a number of lekking (traditional place where male birds assemble during the mating season) black grouse, a Tayside Biodiversity Action Plan Species. Turbines will be sites to avoid lekking areas, and a habitat management plan will be prepared to consider protection for this species of conservation concern. The upland nature of the site provides habitat for some breeding waders (curlew, lapwing and oystercatcher). Skylarks also breed throughout the site. No Schedule 1 (species with extra protection) birds of prey have been recorded breeding, but there have been occasional records of species such as merlin, osprey and short-eared owl passing through the site. No badgers or water vole were recorded on the site. There is otter activity along both the Drumturn Burn and the Green Burn/Leapit Burn. Six different bat species were recorded utilising the site at low levels for foraging, mainly towards the watercourses and woodland edges. No bat roosts have been recorded on the site. The known location of sensitive species and their habitats is being used to inform the design of the wind farm. The evidence recorded is typical of this part of Perthshire. Of greatest interest archaeologically are those sites which relate to the remains of the later prehistoric landscape. During the Bronze Age, cultivation and human occupation were able to exist at higher altitudes due to the climate being more benign than today. Once the climatic conditions deteriorated, the Bronze Age sites would have been abandoned for lower ground and never meaningfully reoccupied. The best examples of this Bronze Age landscape have been recognised through scheduling, for example the settlement evidence near The Corb, to the north of the proposed development boundary. Those remains which have been identified within the development boundary, though none are scheduled, are nevertheless of interest and value and include what appear to be the remains of a large kerb cairn, a series of round houses, which may be the vestiges of dwellings or other structures associated with farming and a number of field clearance cairns which, if they are of Bronze Age date, presumably relate to arable practices and the presence of field systems. Remains of later activity are also present within the boundaries of the proposed wind farm development site, in the form of cultivation remains, small huts (or shielings, structures used for human occupation during the summer pasturing of stock on higher ground in the Medieval and post-Medieval periods) and enclosure banks. More recent activity is represented in the form of a disused farm on the very edge of the proposed development boundary, together with a series of partly ruinous dry stone walls that enclose former fields. Given the presence of these remains, there is potential that further, as yet unrecorded, buried archaeological remains exist. However the area has been the subject of intensive field survey by RCAHMS archaeologists already so the majority of what survives in upstanding form will have been identified by them. Equally, the potential for unrecorded buried archaeology is perhaps lower than might be the case in a more lowland, heavily cultivated location, where ploughing often reduces archaeological remains to subsurface features. Environmental Impact Assessment We are currently undertaking a detailed assessment of the ground and groundwater conditions at the site as part of the EIA to consider the potential effects of the wind farm construction, operation and decommissioning on watercourses, on habitats that are dependent of surface or groundwater (like peat) and local water supplies. This will inform the wind farm design and identify any required mitigation measures. Environmental Receptors Geology, Hydrogeology and Hydrology The majority of the site is underlain by Glacial Till. Two areas of peat lie within the east of the site (east of Hill of Kingseat and Saebeg). Alluvium deposits associated with the tributaries of the Drumturn Burn are present in the northwest of the application area. Bedrock is exposed at or near surface towards the south of the site around Hill of Kingseat. The solid geology underlying the superficial deposits across the region comprise of metamorphic rocks. The solid geology is classified by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as a low productivity aquifer characterised as containing small amounts of groundwater in near surface weathered zones and fractures. Little groundwater will be present in the Glacial Till, which characteristically has low permeability. Near to watercourses it is likely that the alluvium contains groundwater which is in local hydraulic continuity with the streams. The site falls within the catchment of the River Tay, a Freshwater Fish (Salmonid) Protected Water which is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). A number of small watercourses, which form tributaries to the River Tay, rise within the application area and nearby. Telecommunications and Aviation Wind turbines, as with any large structure, can potentially interfere with electromagnetic signals. Consultation with telecommunications operators and aviation stakeholders are being undertaken as part of the EIA process to ensure that any potential effects are fully assessed and to ensure the continued safeguarding and operation of existing infrastructure. EIA and Wind Farm Construction Lairg Wind Farm Construction Lairg Wind Farm Foundation Blade delivery Lairg Wind Farm Erection ABO Wind Engineers at Lairg Wind Farm Construction Period Socio Economics Traffic and Transport Construction Decommissioning The impacts of the proposed wind farm on economic activity, land use and amenity are currently under examination. The main transport impacts will be associated with the movements of HGVs to and from the site during construction. To establish the baseline situation, traffic counts on the existing local roads have been obtained. The construction of the wind farm would take approximately 12 months. The proposed route for deliveries is to be agreed with the Local Authority, Trunk Road Authority and Police Scotland. On completion of the operational lifetime of the wind farm, which would typically be 25 years, the wind turbines will be dismantled and taken away and the site restored to a condition required by Perth and Kinross Council. The development, if consented, would represent a significant investment in the local economy by ABO Wind, creating the opportunity for both direct and indirect economic benefits within the local economy. During the construction phase for example, there could be a wide range of sub-contract opportunities for specialists in plant hire, civil engineering, cabling, fencing, building works, road building and quarrying. ABO Wind intends to maximise the use of local labour sources and suppliers. Contracts will be put out to tender and we will be holding ‘Meet the Buyer’ events to introduce ourselves to the local supply chain. Local businesses could also benefit from increased spending from the construction workforce during the construction period. A transport impact assessment is underway to assess constraints to development in relation to traffic and transport including traffic volumes, restricted road widths, vertical alignments, weight limits and height limits. Delivery of turbine components would be intermittent over several weeks, timed to minimise impacts on local traffic. Additional HGV traffic during construction includes: Movement of staff and machinery to site for preparation works; Delivery of road aggregate in the event this cannot be sourced from the site; Delivery of concrete, fuel and other materials. Community Matters ABO Wind encourages the communities surrounding Green Burn to get involved in the wind farm development process so that suggestions and feedback can be taken on board. Before you leave today’s exhibition, we hope you have time to complete one of our Feedback Forms about the project. Community Benefit Construction Period Community Benefit Fund It is proposed that the access for all construction traffic to the Green Burn site will be taken from the C446 road via two new access junctions to the southern section of the site. The site access tracks will utilise existing improved and new access points from the public road. Over the past decade, local communities across Scotland have benefited tremendously from financial contributions from wind farm developers. These community benefit funds have supported a wide range of different types of projects. Examples include the provision of new leisure and recreational facilities, supporting existing community facilities and local energy efficiency projects, such as insulating homes and community buildings to reduce heat loss. The large turbine components, namely towers, blades and nacelles, would be delivered with a police escort. Heavy goods vehicles accessing the site during the construction phase of the development would cause the main increase in temporary traffic during the construction of the wind farm. Prior to the construction phase of the wind farm, ABO Wind would establish a liaison group to ensure that the concerns of local people are incorporated into a traffic management plan. At our operational Lairg Wind Farm in the Highlands, we were in regular contact with local community bodies about traffic issues and other concerns. Newsletters were issued to local residents to keep them updated about the construction process. We would work towards a similar relationship with the local community at Green Burn. ABO Wind is committed to contributing an annual payment of £5,000 per MW of installed capacity. With a proposed generation capacity of up to 33MW, this means the wind farm could make an annual contribution to the community of up to £165,000. Lairg Wind Farm Opening How Would the Funds be Distributed? Core to ABO Wind’s approach on community funds is carrying out extensive consultation with local community representatives to determine the use of the funds to meet the needs of surrounding communities. The key aspect is that decisions about how the money should be used would be made by local community representatives. ABO Wind has started discussions with local community representatives through a Community Liaison Forum (CLF) to address how the fund would be split and distributed. We also encourage all visitors to this exhibition to give us their views on the best way of distributing community funds and indeed any local projects that would benefit from such funds. Lairg Wind Farm Opening Green Burn Programme Thank you for taking the time to attend this Public Exhibition. Your views are important to us and we hope that the information provided today will encourage you to get involved in the project and help to influence project design. Near the entrance to the hall are some Feedback Forms. We would be pleased to receive any comment you may have on our proposals. Next Steps Indicative Programme Feedback ABO Wind has drawn up an indicative development programme for Green Burn Wind Farm. 2015 ABO Wind expects to submit a planning application for the proposed wind farm in Summer 2015 Formal consideration of planning application – throughout 2015 2016 2017 Subject to consent, construction of wind farm Wind farm operation (the above dates represent the best case scenario) Useful Sources of Further Information Contact For further information about the Green Burn Wind Farm proposal please visit our website at www.greenburnwindfarm.co.uk. For further information on ABO Wind please visit Listed below are additional sources of information on renewable energy and wind farms. We also recommend Scottish Renewables published paper, Onshore Wind – What You Need to Know, found at http://www.scottishrenewables.com/publications/onshore-windwhat-you-need-know/ www.abo-wind.co.uk Scottish Renewables www.scottishrenewables.com Scottish Government www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Facts UK Government www.gov.uk/onshore-wind-part-of-the-uks-energy-mix Royal Society for the Protection of Birds www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/windfarms/index.aspx European Wind Energy Association www.ewea.org/ Renewable UK www.renewableuk.com/ Friends of the Earth Scotland www.foe-scotland.org.uk/lowcarbonpower Scottish Government Planning & Architecturewww.scotgovplanningarchitecture.com/2014/12/05/onshore-wind-questions-answered/ or you can contact us by email at greenburnwindfarm@abo-wind.com Or contact Lucy Forte, Project Manager on 0800 066 5631.