Photomontage – from the Minor Road, Drochaid na h-Uidh
Balblair
Site statistics
Location
Highland Council Area lying 2 km to the north-west of Bonar Bridge.
Status
Section 36 Application accepted by Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit on 14th March 2025. Reference ECU00005055
Project benefits
Balblair wind farm is being developed by Wind Power North 2 Ltd a wholly owned subsidiary of Vestas Development A/S through an agreement with Force 9 Energy Ltd.
Aside from its wider socio-economic and environmental benefits wind power is compatible with other land uses and can provide a boost for rural economic diversification. In addition to contributing towards Scotland’s Net Zero targets, the site affords the opportunity for biodiversity net gain by removing self-seeded sitka spruce and drain blocking to rewet the environment improving peatland on site.
Balblair represents a major investment in the area for Force 9’s development partner Vestas, who employ staff across Scotland, including skilled technicians at a service base in Inverness. The project will stimulate further economic growth through employment opportunities across the supply chain, ensuring local businesses can benefit from the transition to renewable energy. In addition, the project will deliver significant community benefits.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
A dedicated community fund will provide the equivalent of £5,000 per MW per year, as recommended by the Scottish Government, equating to an anticipated £180k annually or £5.4 million over the project’s 30-year operational life. This funding will directly support local projects and initiatives, creating a lasting positive impact for surrounding communities.
Proposed turbines
8 turbines, 6 of which will be up to 180m to blade tip, 2 up to 200m, with an energy storage facility, the combined capacity of which will be in excess of 50MW
Houses powered
up to approximately 34,661*
Links & downloads
- EIA Volume 1 - Non Technical Summary (10 MB)
- EIA Volume 2 - Report (10 MB)
- EIA Volume 3a Contents - Figures (375 KB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.49 A F Viewpoint 1 (4 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.50 A F Viewpoint 2 (10 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.51 A C Viewpoint 3 (10 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.52 A F Viewpoint 4 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.53 A C Viewpoint 5 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.54 A C Viewpoint 6 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.55 A C Viewpoint 7 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.56 A C Viewpoint 8 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.57 A C Viewpoint 9 (10 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.58 A F Viewpoint 10 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.59 A C Viewpoint 11 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.60 A C Viewpoint 12 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.61 A C Viewpoint 13 (8 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.62 A C Viewpoint 14 (8 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.63 A C Viewpoint 15 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.64 A C Viewpoint 16 (8 MB)
- EIA Volume 3b Figure 6.65 Viewpoint 10 (7 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Contents - The Highland Council Visualisations (139 KB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.49 A F Viewpoint 1 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.50 A F Viewpoint 2 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.51 A C Viewpoint 3 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.52 A F Viewpoint 4 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.53 A C Viewpoint 5 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.54 A C Viewpoint 6 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.55 A C Viewpoint 7 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.56 A C Viewpoint 8 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.57 A C Viewpoint 9 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.58 A C Viewpoint 10 (8 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.59 A C Viewpoint 11 (10 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.60 A C Viewpoint 12 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.61 A C Viewpoint 13 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.62 A C Viewpoint 14 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.63 A C Viewpoint 15 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3c Figure 6.64 A C Viewpoint 16 (9 MB)
- EIA Volume 3d Contents - Historic Environment Scotland Visualisations (136 KB)
- EIA Volume 3d Cultural Heritage Visualisations (7 MB)
- EIA Volume 4 Contents - Technical Appendices (179 KB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 2.1 (881 KB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 4.1 - 4.2 (629 KB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 6.1 - 6.8 (5 MB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 7.1 - 7.4 (2 MB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 8.1 - 8.6 (10 MB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 9.1 - 9.4 (14 MB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 10.1 (5 MB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 11.1 (226 KB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 12.1 - 12.2 (3 MB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 13.1 - 13.3 (2 MB)
- EIA Volume 4 Technical Appendix 14.1 - 4.2 (1 MB)
- Design & Access Statement (3 MB)
- Pre Application Consultation Report (8 MB)
- Planning Statement (2 MB)
- Balblair Scoping Report (1 MB)
- Balblair Scoping Figures (5 MB)
*Please note that this figure is based on 8 turbines with an installed capacity of 36 MW at a site derived capacity factor of 35.6% and assuming 3,239 is the average UK household electricity consumption in kW hours (based on most recent statistics from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Jan 2024 (DESNZ)