‘Melgarve Cluster’ plans are back on the table for Monadhliath mountains
Big money plans which could see more than 10 kilometres of pylons and other major infrastructure constructed in the Monadhliath are back on the cards.
SSEN Transmission has returned with proposals for the so-called ‘Melgarve Cluster’ which will enable overhead line and underground cable connections between Melgarve and the Cloiche and Dell wind farms.
The proposal had been dropped in Autumn 2022 follows RES’ plans for Glenshero Wind Farm comprising 39 turbines being rejected by Scottish Ministers in March, earlier that year.
The Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit recently granted consent for the Cloiche Wind Farm.
In partnership with specialist company 3DW, SSEN has created a video fly through which allows stakeholders to visualise the proposed Melgarve Cluster Project. The firm hopes that this will aid understanding of the project and increase transparency. The video fly through is available to view here.
A time extension for consent for Dell Wind Farm by Corilois Energy and ESB is currently under consideration by the government department.
The development sites are west of Laggan.
The new and revised Melgarve Cluster application is for the installation and operation of around seven kilometres of 132 kV overhead line on double circuit steel structure towers and ancillary development.
This will comprise two cable sealing end compounds and nearly 10 kilometres of underground cable with 7.3 kilometres from the Dell Wind Farm on site substation and 1.8 kilometres from the Cloiche Wind Farm on site substation and 0.8 km on approach into Melgarve substation.
There will also be upgrades to existing access tracks, new permanent and temporary access tracks and temporary working areas if the application is approved.
SSEN said the project is needed to connect the Cloiche and Dell wind farms into the existing Melgarve 400/132kV substation.
This is to enable export of electricity from the wind farms to the transmission network.
An SSEN Transmission spokesperson told the Strathy: “We have submitted an application under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Scottish Ministers seeking approval for the Melgarve Cluster Project which will enable overhead line and underground cable connections between Melgarve substation and the Cloiche and Dell Wind Farms.
“The application does not involve any extension to the existing substation site.”
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The proposal has just been notified to Highland Council planners.
In August 2019, an application to build and operate Dell Wind Farm was consented following an appeal to the Scottish Ministers.
An application for an extension of this consent was submitted to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit in March, earlier this year.
An extension adding an extra 25 per cent on to the existing substation at Melgarve covering 2.8 hectares had been planned under the previous proposals.
The Glenshero application for the development in the southern Monadhliath was rejected because of the visual impact the 39 turbines, reaching 135 metres at tip height, would have had.
High-profile national conservation organisations and charities had objected to the renewable energy project, as had the Cairngorms National Park Authority which said the wind farm would have been visible from key spots within its boundaries.
The go-ahead could have led to 155 turbines in close proximity in previously wildland.
Cloiche Wind Farm will have 36 turbines whilst 14-turbines already have consent for the Dell 1 Wind Farm.
• Meanwhile SSE has taken a final investment decision to proceed with Aberarder Wind Farm at Strathnairn.
The £100 million 50 MW project will involve the construction of 12 turbine and is wholly owned by SSE Renewables. Work will begin before the end of the year with completion scheduled for the end of 2026.
The Aberarder project was successful in September 2023 in the UK’s fifth Contract for Difference (CfD) Allocation round, securing a 15-year contract for low-carbon power generation.
Located on a natural plateau at an average of 700m above sea level, the Aberarder project site sits directly adjacent to the operational 94MW Dunmaglass Wind Farm which is jointly owned by SSE Renewables and Greencoat UK Wind.
Once operational, Aberarder will be capable of harnessing enough energy to power the equivalent of 60,000 homes annually.
How to have you say on the plans
More details on the project are available at the dedicated project webpage: www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/melgarve-cluster
A hard copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment is available for the public to view at Laggan Community Hall and at Fort Augustus Village Hall.
The opening of the Laggan venue can be arranged by appointment by calling 01528 544309.
In addition, a hard copy of the EIA will be accessible at Highland Council’s headquarters in Inverness during normal opening hours.
Any representations on the application may be submitted to Scottish Ministers via the Energy Consents Unit website at www.energyconsents.scot using reference ECU00004850, by email to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit mailbox at representations@gov.scot.
The deadline for submissions is June 11 although Scottish Ministers may still consider representations received after this date.
