The proposed Limekiln wind farm grid connection consists of approximately 5 km of 132 kV overhead line to be supported by double trident H wood pole structures between a proposed substation at Limekiln Wind Farm (planning for this being progressed by others), and a proposed sealing end structure at a location around 900 metres to the south of Dounreay substation.
The requirement for this development has been driven specifically by a request made to SHE Transmission for connection of Limekiln Wind Farm to the transmission network. In June 2016, Infinergy Ltd submitted an application to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit for consent to build a 24 turbine, 72 Megawatt (MW) wind farm at Limekiln Estate in Caithness to the west of Thurso.
Under our licence obligations, we must provide Developers with a connection to the national electricity grid, which in this case would be made between the wind farm’s on-site substation and our existing substation at Dounreay, to the north. Our current project programme indicates commencement of construction in July 2021, with completion in September 2022 to meet contracted connection dates.
On 6 April 2020 we submitted an application to Scottish Ministers for consent under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the grid connection for Limekiln wind farm. We have been working closely with the Energy Consents Unit to ensure that, during the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the UK and Scottish Governments, the application can be processed formally and in accordance with all relevant Regulations.
We will be issuing public notices advertising the application on or just after 24 April in the Caithness Courier, John o Groat Journal and Edinburgh Gazette. A copy of the notice will also be published on this website. These notices will give details of how members of the public may view the application and make representations to Scottish Ministers.
Any enquiries regarding the project should be directed to Lisa Marchi, Community Liaison Manager, at lisa.marchi@sse.com