NORoS - No Ring of Steel Kyle of Sutherland

Latest Updates

• Urgent action required - Achany Extension: Achany wind farm has been operational since 2010 with 19 turbines, 110 metres high generating 38MW. In 2021 SSE Renewables submitted a proposal to add on an extension to the north of the existing wind farm, comprising 20 turbines. The site is on Glencassley Estate, which had previously proposed a wind farm called Glen Cassley. In May 2023 the Scottish Govt gave approval for this extension, though two turbines were removed from the proposal. No start was made, and then in early 2025 SSE Renewables announced that it intended to make a new application to increase the height of the turbines to 200m to make the project economically viable. The prosed variation requires an alteration to the original Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). An EIA report was issued on 7th November to accompany the variation application.

Some of you will have objected to the original plans for the less tall turbines and you can now object to this variation application. For those who wish to make an objection before the closing date of 17th December, click here for the NORoS Guidance Document.

• The Kyle of Sutherland, Strath Oykel and Glen Cassley are facing an unprecedented number of proposals for wind farms, some with Battery Equipment Storage Systems (BESSs) and one, namely Allt an Tuir on Glenrossal estate in Glen Cassley, with as many as 30,000 solar panels We have recently learned of two further large developments, both close to Oykel Bridge. Little detail is currently available, but one appears to be closely related to the former Caplich development which was refused planning in 2018 on the basis of its proximity to Wild Land and is now apparently rebadged as “Fionn Wind Farm” with 29 turbines at 250m in height. The other, given the name Ruith Cnoc Wind Farm, projected for a site 5.5km west of Oykel Bridge, is massive with a planned 42 turbines at 220m in height. This brings the number of unbuilt turbines currently proposed for the area above the Kyle and its tributaries between Oykel Bridge and Balblair to astaggering 193, the majority over 200m in height. That figure is extracted from a detailed running list of local windfarms compiled by Tisi Dutton who has kindly allowed us to load her document on our website – click here.

• Strain on communities and Highland Council: The planning process appears to be creaking under the weight of these and the many other proposals which are clogging up the overloaded Energy Consents Unit and putting great pressure on the resources available to the Highland Council. The strain on communities across the Highlands is also well known, especially in the context of SSEN’s proposed super pylon plan running between Spittal and Beauly which threatens landscape values, local amenity and heritage sites and is being vigorously opposed by the Highland Council. For those who live outside the area it is worth noting the excellent coverage which The Northern Times (available online) is giving to all these issues, including the Highland Community Council Conventions which took place in June and August this year. At the second meeting more than 250 delegates from some 60 Highland Community Councils called for a Planning Enquiry Commission to examine the cumulative impact of the deluge of proposed energy developments and a moratorium on new developments.

• New Media Campaign: The linkage between local concerns, such as those represented by NORoS and other similar groups and the wider challenge facing the entire Highland region is plain to see and NORoS aims to do its part in the near future by launching a new media campaign which will be led by our valued member Tisi Dutton. Should you wish to assist financially with the campaign follow this link for details about how to contribute. 

For Previous Updates, click here.