Boralex, Infinergy trims turbines on 90 MW Limekiln Wind Farm in Caithness

The councilors of the North Planning Applications Committee of The Highland Council have voted unanimously to a decision that will see two of the 21 turbines removed from the wind farm at Limekiln, south of Reay in Caithness. The variation to the current consent seeks to bring a number of improvements to the project, including a revised track design, allowing improved access during the construction works to the core path network, and an increase in tip heights to unlock full wind potential and proper alignment with the neighboring Limekiln Wind Farm Extension project.

Enabling works have already been completed following the original 2019 Limekiln Wind Farm consent and onsite felling continues this year to ensure the site is set to promptly move forward again. Felling work is expected to last until the spring of 2022. Delaying the main construction contracts will allow the separate forestry work to proceed unhindered. Subject to consent being awarded, the operational date for Limekiln Wind Farm is expected to now be late 2024 at the earliest. Together with the Limekiln Extension proposal, the wind farm has a grid connection contract in place for 106 MW.

Located 2.8km South/Southwest of Dounreay Power Station, the proposal going forward to Ministers will now consist of 19 turbines and will provide sufficient electricity to meet the needs of at least 74,000 homes based on the average generation mix of UK power sources.

Boralex and Infinergy's 50/50 joint venture owns the project.