Dell Wind Farm is no ‘Loch Ness monster’ says Coriolis Energy

Coriolis Energy is proposing to build Dell Wind Farm on a site located on Dell Estate at Whitebridge, which is about 10 miles east of Fort Augustus (see locational map, below).

Each of the proposed 14 turbines will be up to 130.5m to tip and will have a rated capacity of about 3MW.

Coriolis Energy was formed in early 2007 by a group of long-time managers of a major utility’s renewable energy business where, between them, they were responsible for the successful development of some 300 MW of wind farm projects throughout the UK. These ranged from a 2 turbine, 3MW wind farm in Lincolnshire to a 24 turbine, 55 MW wind farm in Caithness.

The Pitlochry-based John Muir Trust conservation group is concerned about ‘over-intensification’ of wind turbines in the area, and Helen McDade, head of policy for the trust, added:

“We will look carefully at the detail of the Dell proposal – in the context of the cumulative impact of a flurry of development around the Monadhliath Mountains and Loch Ness – which includes SSE’s recently consented 67-turbine Stronelairg Wind Farm.

Harry Malyon, Glasgow-based Development Director for Coriolis Energy, explained: “We hope that people will look at the detail of the application. We have taken a great deal of care over the design to minimise the effects.

“We welcome the planning process as it allows people to make their own minds up on the application.”

“And – contrary to some local reports – Dell Wind farm is not visible from Loch Ness.”

Highlands Council is yet to formally consider the application for Dell wind farm, which would employ up to 90 people over the 18-month construction period.