EDF Renewables UK has today, 7th August 2024, submitted supplementary information (SI) to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consent’s Unit for a wind farm located in the Lammermuir Hills.

The proposed Dunside wind farm is situated on moorland approximately one kilometre east of the existing Fallago Rig wind farm enabling the use of the existing access infrastructure and grid connection on the eastern side. The wind farm would make a lasting and valuable contribution to the Scottish Borders by generating renewable energy, empowering local communities and supporting Scotland’s net zero carbon targets.

The SI follows on from the original planning application which was submitted to the Scottish Government in July 2023. The application was for a maximum of 15 turbines of up to 220m to blade tip. Following feedback and further consultation with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) there has been a revised design of the wind farm with a reduction of one turbine. The installed capacity of the proposed generating station now comprises up to 14 turbines with a maximum ground to blade tip height of 150 metres (two turbines), 180 metres (three turbines), 220 metres (nine turbines) and associated infrastructure.

Sarah Dooley, Principal Project Development Manager in Scotland at EDF Renewables UK, said: “Following the submission of our planning application last year, we have had further dialogue with some statutory consultees, including HES who raised concerns about the impact upon the setting of a historic feature – the Mutiny Stones, a scheduled monument. Our design team have worked exceptionally hard to address these concerns as demonstrated by the changes we have made to our proposals, which is documented in the Supplementary Information (SI) submission.

“We have also managed to ensure that the revised design does not impact on the targets we want to achieve. The wind farm could generate around 91.8MW of low carbon electricity, enough to power up to 53,000* homes, it will support the delivery of Scotland’s national net zero targets and the fight against climate change.

“In addition, the project, if approved, will see the establishment of an annual community benefit fund of £5,000 per megawatt for the operational life of the development, in line with Scottish Government guidance, for investment in community groups and initiatives.”

The SI is available to download here

*Load factors based on the five-year rolling averages on unchanged configuration basis using Table 6.5 of Digest of UK Energy Statistics – latest figures as per July 2022 release.