Limekiln Wind Farm Could Create Skilled Jobs Lost From Dounreay

19th December 2012

Green energy firm Infinergy has officially submitted its planning application for a 24-turbine wind farm at Limekiln, in Caithness. Infinergy believes the project will significantly offset the carbon footprint of the area and create new industries, jobs and skills that will outlast the decommissioning of nearby Dounreay Power Station.

Located 2.8km South/Southwest of Dounreay Power Station, the proposal consists of 24 turbines that will measure a maximum of 139m from ground to blade tip, with a total electricity generating capacity of 72 megawatts (MW). The wind farm has the potential to provide sufficient electricity to meet the needs of up to 43,600 homes and displace 80,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, based on the average generation mix of UK power sources.

Since launching the proposal for Limekiln earlier this year, Infinergy has also been working with the local community on plans for an associated community benefit fund that would provide £9m for the local community over the life of the windfarm. This has involved representatives of Caithness West Community Council, Melvich Community Council, Reay Primary school, Caithness Chamber of Commerce, ERI Thurso and Thurso College to discuss how the fund could operate and the priorities it could support.

The group has discussed a range of ideas which could be implemented if the project gets the go-ahead, including:
A community enterprise café or shop, with attached accommodation for visiting groups such as students studying the local flora and fauna
Improved facilities for surfers and others using the beach, such as showers and changing rooms
A community bus to supplement the currently poor public transport provision serving Reay
Support for local small businesses including funding for apprenticeships and grants to help start-up and smaller firms get off the ground
Improvements at the Limekiln site to allow it to be used for mountain biking and integration with long-distance footpath networks

Fiona Milligan, Infinergy’s Inverness-based project manager, said:“Infinergy are delighted that we have been able to submit this exciting project to the Scottish Government. We believe the Limekiln wind farm would significantly contribute to meeting the Scottish Government’ challenging renewables targets and, more importantly, provide a source of revenue, supporting the local economy to ensure a sustainable future beyond the work being carried out at Dounreay Power Station.”

“The Community has been fantastic in terms of the ideas generated so far for growing tourism in the area to provide jobs and skills, as well as in relation to how the community benefit could be used to help provide additional services for local vulnerable people. We look forward to continuing to work closely with them should our proposal be approved by Scottish Ministers.”

For more information on the Limekiln Wind Farm go to -
www.limekilnwindfarm.co.uk/