Highland Renewable Energy Strategy | Renewable Energy | Pentland Firth | Highland Heat Mapping Project
The Highland Renewable Energy Strategy and Planning Guidelines (HRES) was formally approved at the Council meeting held on 4 May 2006 as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the policies of the Highland Structure Plan. The main thrust of the document is to identify the capacity in the Highlands for a range of renewable energy targets and provide locational guidance and support economic development. Further information is available from the link below:
For on-shore wind energy, a major component of HRES is the identification on maps of ‘prospective development zones’ for wind farms and the inclusion of Council policy and strategy statements for those. The policy framework includes a ‘sequential approach’. This no longer complies with national planning policy, which has changed. The Council therefore in May 2008 began preparing new policies and guidance for onshore wind energy. This will take the form of policies for renewable energy which are being incorporated in the Highland wide Local Development Plan (see Proposed Plan below) and Supplementary Guidance on onshore wind energy. Draft Supplementary Guidance was published for consultation April - June 2011.
The new policy and guidance will supersede parts of the strategy and planning guidelines of HRES relating to on-shore wind energy. It is important though to note that HRES and the Renewable Energy Resource Assessment on which it is based continue to provide an overarching strategy and much useful information to those involved in renewable energy development including onshore wind.
Back to Top
Large scale hydro electric schemes were constructed in Highland after the Second World War and these are now being added to by wind farms and smaller scale hydro projects. There is also considerable interest in offshore wind, wave and tidal energy development. These have been stimulated by central government policy to respond to climate change.
The Council is the planning authority for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy schemes of up to 1 megawatt as well as onshore wind energy schemes and hydroelectric generating stations of up to 50 megawatts. Above these capacities, consent is sought from Scottish Ministers under the Electricity Act, 1989. However, the Council is a statutory consultee of the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government has a database of renewable energy projects at various stages.
Scottish Natural Heritage produce windfarm footprint maps based on their database of windfarm proposals, for the whole of Scotland.
You can view a map of current wind farm activity in Highland by clicking the link below:
You can view a map of hydro-electric power activity in Highland by clicking the link below:
Visualisation Standards
Visualisation standards have been produced to enable the Council to verify that photomontages submitted in support of planning applications and contained within Environmental Statements are accurate and clearly understood depictions of proposals so that the public and decision makers can make informed opinions and decisions. While these standards have been produced with wind energy development in mind, the principles contained could apply to all submissions where panoramic photomontages are submitted.
The Highland wide Local Development Plan – Proposed Plan states that Major Developments and developments that are subject of Environmental Impact Assessment will be expected to follow a robust project environmental management process, following the approach set out in the Council’s Guidance Note “Construction Environmental Management Process for Large Scale Projects” or a similar approach. The Guidance Note in question has recently been produced with the assistance of SNH, SEPA and SSE. It will be relevant to many onshore wind energy developments as well as a range of other types of development proposal. The Guidance Note is available here:
Back to Top
The Council’s renewable energy strategy (HRES 2006) recognised the potential of the area’s marine renewable resources, but acknowledged that at that time, the industry needed to develop the necessary technology to fully exploit its potential. Targets were set to reflect this, 400MW of installed capacity by 2020. However, as a reflection of the speed of technological change, that target now seems conservative. The amount of installed capacity estimated to be generated by 2020 from the world’s fist commercial scale leasing round for wave and tidal energy in the Pentland Firth, is now expected to be closer to 1000MW.
Along with its partners the Highland Council is working to ensure that Caithness and Sutherland maximises the economic opportunities that the development of a marine renewables industry can bring. The area has a lot to offer:
- A skilled workforce experienced in the Oil and Gas and Nuclear energy industries
- A top quality higher and further education sector working to ensure that we can provide the necessary technical and professional skills required by the marine renewables industry
- A well developed engineering and energy supply chain capable of supporting marine renewables developments
- A port and maritime infrastructure with all the necessary skills, expertise and local knowledge to support marine renewables developments
- A “joined up” public sector looking to work closely with potential inward investors to Caithness and North Sutherland and to lobby Government to ensure the necessary grid infrastructure is in place to allow the growth of the marine renewables industry.
Scotland’s National Planning Framework 2 identifies the Pentland Firth as an area for co-ordinated action to harness its potential for marine renewable energy, work being taken forward as the Pentland Firth Tidal Energy Project.
The Marine Spatial Plan Framework and Regional Locational Guidance may be accessed on the external Scottish Government website by following the link below.
Back to Top
North Highland Onshore Visioning
The North Highland Onshore Visioning work complements other strands of work being undertaken by the Council and other organsiations around the marine renewables sector. This work is mainly focussed on the onshore development that will be necessary in North Highland to enable and support wave, tidal and offshore wind power. These secotrs have been identified as priorites for the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, of which the Highland Council is a key member.
Workshops were held at the Castle of Mey in August 2010 and February 2011 and a wide range of people and organisations were invited. The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment (PFBE) facilitated the workshops and prepared a short Report which gives a record of the issues and key locations discussed at the workshops and gives recommendations. Following on from these recommendations, The Highland Council has published a 10-point Action Plan which it is developing with key partners, to help plan for the growth of the marine renewable energy industry in North Highland.
Information on progress with undertaking the actions will be made available on this webpage.
Back to Top
The Highland wide Local Development Plan – Proposed Plan
The Highland wide Local Development Plan - Proposed Plan contains general policies and outlines the views of the Council. As well as a spatial strategy and vision for the Highlands, it provides policy guidance for marine energy developers and is designed to assist with the delivery of economic development.
Back to Top
Pre-Application Advice Service for Major Developments
The award winning Pre-Application Advice Service for Major Developments provides an opportunity for developers to discuss their proposals with representatives of all the statutory consultees involved in the planning process and provides developers with an ‘advice pack’.