Green Cat was delighted to see the Welton of Creuchies Wind Farm project in Perthshire up and running spring 2018.
This project was the first of its kind sharing grid connection infrastructure with a neighbouring project to reduce both capital costs and use of system charges.
The project is a joint venture with majority shareholder John Ferguson, the local community who own 15% of the project and Green Cat Renewable Developments.
As with the Deuchries Wind Farm project, all companies under the Green Cat umbrella were utilised on this one. Green Cat Renewables managed the construction of the project, with sister companies Green Cat Contracting constructing the foundations, and Prelec providing the electrical contracting work.
The project had been given the go-ahead by Perth and Kinross Council in July 2012, but was delayed by the grid connection.
GCR Director Gavin Catto was delighted to see the completion of the project, which shows this approach, and the full range of services Green Cat provide.
“This was a very challenging project that has taken many years to bring to fruition,” Gavin said.
“The combination of a modest wind speed and a 14km grid connection made the economics challenging. However, the opportunity to share the grid infrastructure which significantly reduced the connection cost and also reduced the project use of system charges made the project viable.”
“Green Cat provided consultancy support right from early feasibility through to operation, including acting as Principal Designer on the shared grid and managing the relationships with all the third party landowners and other stakeholders.”
Welton of Creuchies Wind Farm consists of four Enercon E82 wind turbines, with a total capacity of 9.4MW, and is located near the village of Alyth in Perthshire.
The local community own 15% of the Welton of Creuchies wind project and stand to receive a significant amount of money over the lifetime of the project.