Highland 98MW wind farm plan near A9 at Moy formally submitted by developers Galileo Empower for Lynemore site
Plans for a 14 turbine 98MW wind farm and 50MW battery energy storage site near the A9 at Moy have been submitted to the Scottish Government.
Galileo Empower is seeking to erect the turbines, which will stand 200 metres tall at the blade tip, on a site two kilometres south-west of the busy trunk road at Lynemore. At full power, the wind farm could provide enough energy for 70,000 homes.
A community wealth fund is proposed as part of the project, with a 10 per cent community ownership offer being suggested by the developer.
The company claimed the application follows a “comprehensive programme of environmental studies and community engagement”. This included two public consultations as well as direct conversations with residents, businesses and other stakeholders.
Neil Thomson, project manager at Galileo Empower, said: "Throughout the environmental impact assessment stage of the Lynemore Wind Farm, we have engaged closely with local communities and taken on board feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. This input has been essential in shaping our final design and ensuring our proposals are as considerate and responsible as possible.
“Our goal is to be a long-term and positive presence in the Highlands. As part of this, the project includes a proposed Community Wealth Fund, and we remain committed to exploring a renewable electricity discount scheme to help share the value of the project with the closest residents.
“We would also like to see the 10 per cent community ownership share on offer taken up by the surrounding communities. Shared ownership represents a valuable opportunity for community wealth building—allowing local communities not only to have a stake in the project but also to benefit from long-term, sustainable income that can be reinvested locally to support resilience, growth, and wellbeing.”
Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing is “actively encouraging” communities in Strathdearn and Strathnairn to explore the wealth fund and community ownership - arguing it could be transformative and help support local priorities “for years to come”.
He said: “It’s encouraging to see developers like Galileo Empower offering up to 10 per cent of the project to the surrounding community through a shared ownership model. Initiatives like this are a meaningful step toward building long-term community wealth and ensuring that local people have a real stake in the future of renewable energy.
“I would actively encourage the communities of Strathnairn and Strathdearn to engage with this opportunity and explore how it could support local priorities for years to come.”
For more information about the planning documents, including Galileo Empower’s environmental impact assessment report, are available on the project website at www.lynemorewindfarm.co.uk and via the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit portal.
