N E W S F E E D S >>>

Wind Farms News Bulletins And Information
Wind Farm Index Caithness.org News 2002

Front Page Archives

Causewaymire Wind Farm - National Wind Power
How It Might Look When Completed

13 May 04
Causeymire Wind Farm Produces Its First Electricity
National Wind Power has announced that the first generation of electricity from Causeymire Wind Farm, Dale Moss near Spittal, Caithness has taken place.

The first electricity has been generated by the first of 24 turbines that Causeymire Wind Farm will consist of when completed. Each turbine is capable of generating 2.3 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power over 1,200 homes each.

Following a successful construction programme that began back in February 2004, 17 wind turbines have now been erected with only another 7 left to be built. However, because the installed capacity will be over 50MW, an application has been submitted to the Scottish Executive to complete the site, bringing the total to the consented 24 wind turbines with a combined maximum output of 55.2 MW.

Stuart Quinton-Tulloch, project manager for NWP said, "The construction process is going very smoothly and the first generation of electricity is another important mile stone for the project.

Stuart Quinton-Tulloch went onto say; "with the current progress being made we anticipate the first 21 wind turbines to be fully erected and operational towards the end of summer and are looking forward to being able to add the other 3 turbines."

Other projects in Scotland operated by NWP include Novar Wind Farm, Ross-shire, Beinn Ghlas Wind Farm, Argyll and Windy Standard Wind Farm, Dumfries and Galloway.   NWP is a subsidiary of RWE Innogy plc and Sister Company to npower

15 February 04
Causewaymire First Turbines Going Up Viewed From Several Places
As the fist of the Causewaymire wind turbines go up we have taken a series of photographs from various places to le you see how it looks already.  The turbines are big but set in a huge landscape they can appear much smaller.  To get an idea of just how big they are look closely at the vehicles at the bottom as these are large trucks and then imagine a man half the height of the truck - then you get the scale.  Then look at the pictures taken from well back and the wind turbines disappear.   We will be following this project as it builds in coming months as well as several others coming online over the next couple of years.  One way or another part of the Caithness landscape is about to change.

10 February 04
Final Few turbine Parts Of First Shipment For Causewaymire Prepare To Be Shipped From Wick
The last of the wind turbine parts bound for the Causewaymire were being made ready for shipment by road from Wick Harbour late this afternoon.  If you have not worked out how big these parts are then compare the height of the men working beside them.

Causeymire Turbines Going Up
Wind turbine dimensions:
Hub height 60 meters
Blade length 40 m
The site will have 24 turbine, 48 Megawatt (MW) Causeymire Wind Farm at Dale Moss, some 30km south west of John O'Groats.
It will generate enough clean electricity to meet the average needs of approximately 25,000 homes every year or, put another way, enough to meet the annual domestic electricity needs of Caithness twice over. The wind farm will also prevent the release of about 85,000 tonnes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide which is the main contributor to global warming and climate change.

4 February 04
Wind Turbine Unloading Today

2 February 04
Causeymire Turbines Unloading At Wick

1 February 04
 First Turbine For Causeymire Arrives At Sinclair Bay
This is the first shipment of turbines bound for the Causeymire wind farm site.  The ship was spotted in Sinclair Bay at Ackergill on Sunday waiting till Monday to mover round to wick harbour.  The shipments will be transferred to lorries from the haulage company of Edward Mackay.  From there they will travel through Wick and down the south road - A99.  Eight loads in total will be involved arriving every 10 days.

16 February 04
The first turbines are erected at NWP's
Causeymire Wind Farm

The first wind turbine has been erected at National Wind Power's (NWP) Causeymire Wind Farm site at Dale Moss near Spittal, Caithness following the successful arrival of the first turbine sections at Wick Harbour earlier this month.

Each wind turbine consists of two tower sections, a nacelle on top of the tower housing the gearbox and generator plus three rotor blades. The components are assembled on site and each turbine is completed when the rotor blades are lifted and fitted into position using two cranes. Each single turbine will generate enough power to supply the average annual needs of nearly 1,200 homes.

Once completed the turbines used at Causeymire Wind Farm will be the most powerful turbines in operation in the UK. Capable of producing 2.3 megawatts of electricity, each turbine will generate enough electricity to meet the average annual needs of nearly 1,200 homes each year.

Stuart Quinton-Tulloch, project manager for NWP said, "Despite the spell of bad weather we have had recently, the project is progressing to schedule and I am delighted that we have been able to being erection of the first turbine as soon as we have."

Innes Miller, Causeymire Wind Farm landowner, added, "This is a really exciting time. The devotion and hard work of all those involved has finally paid off and the wind farm really looks like it is taking shape."

Construction of the turbines is being undertaken by Bonus Wind Turbine (UK) Ltd (Bonus). Further components will be arriving over the coming weeks with completion of the wind farm anticipated towards the end of 2004.

The project will comprise 21 wind turbines each rated at 2.3 megawatts (MW) and will have a combined capacity of 48.3 MW. Once complete it will generate enough clean electricity to meet the average annual needs of some 25,000 homes. This clean generation will prevent the release of approximately 85,000 tonnes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide every year that would otherwise have been generated and released from power stations burning fossil fuels like coal and oil.

The wind turbines are 60 metres in height to the hub and the blades are 40m in length

Projects in Scotland operated by NWP include Novar Wind Farm, Ross-shire, Beinn Ghlas Wind Farm, Argyll and Windy Standard Wind Farm, Dumfries and Galloway.

NWP is a subsidiary of RWE Innogy plc.

14 September 03
National Wind Power (NWP)1 is pleased to announce that construction has begun on the Causewaymire Wind Farm at Dale Moss near Spittal, Caithness.

The first phase of the project will comprise 21 out of the 24 consented wind turbines2 each rated at 2.3 megawatts (MW), and will have a combined capacity of 48.3 MW. Once complete, it will generate enough clean electricity to meet the average annual needs of some 25,000 homes. This clean generation will prevent the release of approximately 85,000 tonnes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide every year that would otherwise have been generated and released from power stations burning fossil fuels like coal and oil.3

Construction of the wind farm will be undertaken on behalf of NWP by Bonus Wind Turbine (UK) Ltd. Bonus has engaged Scottish civil engineering contractor Edward Mackay Ltd to undertake the construction of the site roads and turbine foundations, and Scottish electrical contractor, Hydro Contracting, to install the site electrical system. Cambrian Engineering's recently opened tower manufacturing facility at Arnish on the Isle of Lewis has been awarded a contract to produce some of the tower sections for the site.

Stuart Quinton-Tulloch, project manager for NWP explained, "Work on the site will continue over this winter and it is anticipated that the wind farm will be fully commissioned at the end of 2004. Once operational, Causeymire Wind Farm will be one of the UK's most powerful wind farms and will make a significant contribution towards the Scottish Executive's target of generating 40% of Scotland's electricity from renewable sources by 2020."

National Wind Power (NWP) is the UK's leading wind farm developer, owner and operator with offices in; Stanley, Perthshire; Llanidloes, Powys; Bourne End, Bucks; Exeter, Devon and Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Projects in Scotland owned and operated by NWP include Novar Wind Farm, Ross-shire, Beinn Ghlas Wind Farm, Argyll and Windy Standard Wind Farm, Dumfries and Galloway.

NWP is a subsidiary of Innogy plc - an RWE business. For further information about NWP, please visit our web site at www.natwindpower.co.uk. For further information about Innogy, please visit www.innogy.com.

Wind turbine dimensions At Causeymire  - Hub height 60 meters Blade length 40 meters

Earlier Reports

National Wind Power has permission for 24 machines with 48 MW output at Causeymire, Caithness
 (ND 155505).  National Wind Power Causeymire Page

National Wind Power (NWP)1 welcomed the decision by Highland Councillors to grant consent for the Causeymire Wind Farm at Dale Moss, Caithness.

Commenting on the news, Harry Malyon, NWP’s development manager for Causeymire Wind Farm said, “I am delighted with the decision reached by the Highland Councillors to grant consent for this 24 turbine project. This renewable energy project is not only good for the environment, but also complements the Caithness economy that has traditionally been based on industries such as energy, agriculture, and quarrying.”

Alan Moore, managing director of NWP said, “Causeymire Wind Farm will be one of the most powerful renewable energy projects in Great Britain and contributes another significant step towards a more sustainable future for Scotland. We are looking forward to progressing the scheme and working with the local communities in the new year. As required, all contracts for the construction of this project will be put out to tender, but the region has a strong engineering capability and we anticipate that local firms will be in a good position to win some of those contracts.”

Innes Miller, landowner at Dale Moss, explained how local consultation during the development of the proposal was undertaken, “Last year, before the application was submitted, wide local consultation resulted in useful input from the community. NWP held public exhibitions to inform local communities about the proposal and to gather the views and suggestions of local people. This process enabled the proposal to be refined, incorporating some of the changes suggested by visitors to the exhibitions. I am very pleased that the application has been well received by Councillors and look forward to seeing the wind farm operating.”

Once constructed, the 48 megawatt (MW) Causeymire Wind Farm will generate enough clean power to supply the equivalent of over 25,000 homes with clean, pollution-free power each year for the 20 year life of the project. The clean generation will prevent the annual release of some 85,000 tonnes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide that would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere by power stations burning fossil fuel like coal and oil.

This will help meet the Scottish Executive targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases associated with climate change. It will also contribute towards targets to substantially increase supplies of renewable and sustainable electricity2.

1. National Wind Power (NWP) draws upon the expertise of some 60 dedicated staff and more than 10 years’ experience in the development and management of world class wind farms.  With the Causeymire Wind Farm, NWP is now the largest single holder of operating and consented MW of wind capacity in the UK.  NWP is a subsidiary of Innogy plc - an RWE business.  For more information about NWP, please visit our web site at www.natwindpower.co.uk , and for more information about Innogy, please visit www.innogy.com

2. The Scottish Executive has a target of producing 18% of Scotland’s electricity requirements from renewable sources by 2010 to help combat climate change - wind energy will make an important contribution towards meeting this target. Scottish Ministers are currently consulting about the feasibility of increasing this target to 40% by 2020.