Craigneil Wind Farm

Craigneil Wind Farm

Utilising the Natural Environment to Harness Clean, Zero Carbon Energy

Craigneil Wind Farm

Utilising the Natural Environment to Harness Clean, Zero Carbon Energy

Windfarm greenery

Craigneil Wind Farm

The Craigneil Wind Farm project received consent in September 2022. ESB would like to place on record our thanks to Stonehaven & District Community Council, the Stonehaven Town Partnership and the wider community for their time and help to shape the original Craigneil Wind Farm project. Since we first introduced the proposals, we have received a warm welcome in Stonehaven and the surrounding area. We were proud to be headline supporter of the Feein' Market in June 2022, 2023 and more recently, June 2024. We have also proudly supported the Stonehaven Christmas Lights and Stonehaven Fireballs. The Craigneil Wind Farm redesign is underway and part of our public consultation, we are holding two public exhibitions. Details are further below. We welcome participation at these events and any feedback or comments on our proposal. 


 

Craigneil Wind Farm

 

Welcome to the Craigneil Wind Farm project website.

The Craigneil Wind Farm project received consent in September 2022.  The consented Craigneil Wind Farm is for 11 turbines at 135 m in height and is located approximately 6.5 km to the north west of Stonehaven and 11 km south east of Banchory. 

The project was originally submitted into planning in Summer 2018 and took over four years for a consent.  Technology and commercial viability considerations have moved on since the original project design and we are now looking at a redesigned project of seven turbines at 180m in height.

Although fewer (and taller) turbines, the redesign will generate more renewable electricity - it will be able to generate more than the consented projects output which was equivalent to 21,846 homes.

We will aim to submit a new planning application in Autumn 2024.

 We are holding our second round of Public Exhibition Events on the 17th and 18th September 2024. Please see full details in Public Consultation below.

Craigneil Wind Farm Advert September 2024


 

Project Summary

ESB announced plans for a redesign of Craigneil Wind Farm in May 2024.  We are using environmental data from the consented development, as well as new environmental studies, to help shape the design and assess the impact of the new project.

The Craigneil Wind Farm proposal comprises:

  • Up to seven turbines, with a maximum tip height of 180m, and a generating capacity of up to 42MW. View proposed Craigneil - Site Layout.
  • On-site access tracks linking the turbines and connecting to the public road network via a mixture of new and existing roads.
  • On-site grid substation.
  • Site office and staff welfare facilities.
  • An offer of a Community Benefits Package and Community Shared Ownership.


View the development timeline 

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Public Consultation

We will hold our second round of public consultation for the redesign of the consented Craigneil Wind Farm in September 2024. They are drop-in events at the following times, please do come along.

PUBLIC EXHIBITION EVENTS

●      Mackie Academy (The Plaza), Slug Road, Stonehaven, AB39 3DF on Tuesday 17 September 2024, 4pm – 8pm

●      Old Sheriff Court House, Dunnottar Avenue, Stonehaven, AB39 2JH on Wednesday 18 September 2024, 2pm – 8pm

This follows our first round of exhibitions in June 2024 (exhibition material below) - thank you to all the residents, community representatives and groups who took part in the events.

Comments should be made to ESB at craigneil@esb.ie.

Comments made at this stage do not constitute a formal planning representation. An opportunity to make a formal representation will exist when the subsequent planning application is made.

Thank you and we hope you can take part in the consultation events.

Craigneil Wind Farm Boards September 2024

Public Exhibition June 2024

Craigneil Wind Farm Feedback Form

 

The Benefits of Craigneil Wind Farm

The development of Craigneil Wind Farm would bring several important benefits at both the local and national levels.

Environmental Benefits

A Climate Emergency has been declared by the Scottish Government and UK Government. If consented and constructed, Craigneil Wind Farm would:

  • provide clean, renewable energy, helping the Scottish Government reach its target for net-zero carbon by 2045.
  • generate more than the consented projects output which was equivalent to 21,846 homes..

Working collaboratively with conservation bodies, environmental specialists and landowners, ESB is committed to exploring opportunities to enhance the natural habitats local to the Craigneil Wind Farm. These will form part of ESB’s package of mitigation, offsetting and enhancement measures for the project.

Economic Benefits

During both the construction and the proposed operation of the wind farm, the Craigneil project will provide opportunities to support the local economy. A range of contracts for the construction of the Craigneil Wind Farm will be available for tender. Local companies will be encouraged to apply for contracts and given preference where possible.

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For information about the Craigneil Wind Farm project, please contact:

Sean Pearson, Project Manager, ESB Asset Development UK Ltd - E: craigneil@esb.ie

For media enquiries, please contact ESB's press office at:

T: 00353 1 702 6009 (Media Enquiries Only) / Out of Hours: 00353 87 255 7186 (Media Enquiries Only) E: corporatecommunications@esb.ie

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About Us

 

At ESB Energy, our goal is simple: to continue to actively change the energy landscape across Britain to create a brighter future. By investing in renewable energy sources and developing sustainable technologies, we're paving the way to a cleaner, brighter future for Britain and our planet.