Feb 20, 2025
Fred Olsen Renewables introduces a 65MW wind project in the Highlands.
Fred Olsen Renewables has submitted a request to establish a 65MW wind energy project in the Scottish Highlands.
The location for the proposed Balnespick Wind Farm is situated 5.6 km to the east of Tomatin and 6.6 km to the north-west of Carrbridge, within the Highlands.
If approved, the wind farm is expected to produce up to 64.8MW of clean electricity, potentially supplying power directly to Tomatin Distillery.
Since 2023, Balnespick Wind Farm has been the subject of community consultation, featuring nine turbines reaching heights of up to 200 meters at their tips, along with a battery storage facility.
The local feedback has significantly influenced various aspects of the project, including the benefits it will offer to the community, and has facilitated a unique partnership among wind farm developers focused on addressing local needs.
Kelly Wyness, Senior Project Manager at Fred Olsen Renewables, remarked: "Our plans for Balnespick Wind Farm aim to benefit the Highland economy, tourism, and the community.
“A private wire connection to Tomatin Distillery could assist the distillery in reducing its energy costs, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing its use of non-fossil fuels.
“Additionally, we have been collaborating with local stakeholders to ensure that developers can work together to benefit the community, maximize the economic advantages our proposals can offer, and support local aspirations.”
The plans for Balnespick Wind Farm encompass a dedication to collaborate with Tomatin Distillery to investigate the possibility of supplying electricity directly from the wind farm via a private wire, thereby helping the distillery lower its energy costs and emissions while increasing its use of non-fossil fuels.
A representative from Tomatin Distillery stated: "After producing whisky for 128 years, Tomatin Distillery is focused on achieving long-term economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
“Environmental considerations are a crucial part of many of our decisions.
“Among several initiatives, in 2013, we became the first distillery in Scotland to implement an environmentally efficient wood pellet-fueled steam boiler in our production process.
“Therefore, the chance to fulfill our electricity needs from a local low-carbon supplier, such as Balnespick Wind Farm, aligns with our commitment to net-zero goals and supporting the local economy.”
Fred Olsen Renewables and Tomatin Distillery plan to collaborate with Caldera on decarbonizing whisky production.
Electricity generated at Balnespick, delivered through the private wire, will be utilized by Caldera’s Storage Boilers, which will store it as heat for distillation processes.
Balnespick Wind Farm will also establish a community benefit fund estimated at over £11m (indexed) throughout the 35-year lifespan of the wind farm.
Wyness remarked: "We are dedicated to ensuring that all our projects contribute positively to the country’s climate change goals and support energy security.
“However, we also acknowledge that our proposals need to extend beyond this – and we hope that Balnespick Wind Farm can showcase the real opportunities a wind farm can offer."
The location for the proposed Balnespick Wind Farm is situated 5.6 km to the east of Tomatin and 6.6 km to the north-west of Carrbridge, within the Highlands.
If approved, the wind farm is expected to produce up to 64.8MW of clean electricity, potentially supplying power directly to Tomatin Distillery.
Since 2023, Balnespick Wind Farm has been the subject of community consultation, featuring nine turbines reaching heights of up to 200 meters at their tips, along with a battery storage facility.
The local feedback has significantly influenced various aspects of the project, including the benefits it will offer to the community, and has facilitated a unique partnership among wind farm developers focused on addressing local needs.
Kelly Wyness, Senior Project Manager at Fred Olsen Renewables, remarked: "Our plans for Balnespick Wind Farm aim to benefit the Highland economy, tourism, and the community.
“A private wire connection to Tomatin Distillery could assist the distillery in reducing its energy costs, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing its use of non-fossil fuels.
“Additionally, we have been collaborating with local stakeholders to ensure that developers can work together to benefit the community, maximize the economic advantages our proposals can offer, and support local aspirations.”
The plans for Balnespick Wind Farm encompass a dedication to collaborate with Tomatin Distillery to investigate the possibility of supplying electricity directly from the wind farm via a private wire, thereby helping the distillery lower its energy costs and emissions while increasing its use of non-fossil fuels.
A representative from Tomatin Distillery stated: "After producing whisky for 128 years, Tomatin Distillery is focused on achieving long-term economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
“Environmental considerations are a crucial part of many of our decisions.
“Among several initiatives, in 2013, we became the first distillery in Scotland to implement an environmentally efficient wood pellet-fueled steam boiler in our production process.
“Therefore, the chance to fulfill our electricity needs from a local low-carbon supplier, such as Balnespick Wind Farm, aligns with our commitment to net-zero goals and supporting the local economy.”
Fred Olsen Renewables and Tomatin Distillery plan to collaborate with Caldera on decarbonizing whisky production.
Electricity generated at Balnespick, delivered through the private wire, will be utilized by Caldera’s Storage Boilers, which will store it as heat for distillation processes.
Balnespick Wind Farm will also establish a community benefit fund estimated at over £11m (indexed) throughout the 35-year lifespan of the wind farm.
Wyness remarked: "We are dedicated to ensuring that all our projects contribute positively to the country’s climate change goals and support energy security.
“However, we also acknowledge that our proposals need to extend beyond this – and we hope that Balnespick Wind Farm can showcase the real opportunities a wind farm can offer."