Infinergy was proposing a two-turbine wind energy development at Loch of Toftingall near Spittal in Caithness. The proposed development site is located in a commercial forestry plantation to the west of Loch of Toftingall and directly north of the operational Halsary Wind Farm, adjacent to the A9, just south of Spittal in Caithness. The Highland Council is the Planning Authority for this proposed development.
Initially, turbine tip heights of up to 149.9 metres were being proposed with an installed capacity of up to 7.2 Megawatts (MW). In addition, a 40MW Battery Energy Storage Facility was to be located in the south western part of the site.
Following the first round of public consultation however, the proposal has been revised, removing the two turbines and increasing the capacity of the energy storage facility to 49.9MW.
This facility would be able to take renewable electricity from the network, store it, and then feed it back when it it is most needed, thereby making the electricity system more efficient and flexible.
Land required within the site that is currently plantation will be felled and over a period of years carefully restored to peatland. This is effectively the same restoration proposal as within the neighbouring Halsary wind farm site. The peatland restoration proposals would provide important biodiversity enhancement.
Environmental, technical and commercial considerations throughout the assessment process will continue to inform the the design of the Battery Energy Storage Facility.
Submission of the planning application for is expected to be Summer 2023.