Golticlay wind farm received planning consent in 2021 for 19 turbines. Since receiving this consent, RWE has been carefully reviewing our options for the site going forward. The renewables industry, and in particular turbine technology, has evolved considerably since the initial application was submitted back in 2016 and there is now a need to reconsider the design of the wind farm.

In January 2023 RWE submitted a Scoping Report to the Scottish Government which requests feedback from all statutory consultees. This, combined with public consultation, will inform our final design of the Golticlay variation and allow us to begin the variation application process.

In October 2023, RWE submitted a variation to the Consented Development to the Energy Consenting Unit (ECU). Key changes include the reduction of the number of turbines to 13, increasing the maximum tip height of the turbines from 130 metres (m) to a maximum of 200 m and the increase of the operational period from 25 to 35 years. The design has been based on additional technical and environmental studies and feedback from statutory, non-statutory consultees and public consultation.

Status: In development

A Section 36c planning variation was submitted to the Energy Consents Unit in October 2023. The planning documents can be viewed in our document library and can be accessed on this page under “Planning Documents”. They can also be viewed on the Energy Consents Unit website, or hard copies are available at the locations shown in the table below.

On the 4^th of June 2024, the Highland Council planning committee recommended no objection to the Golticlay variation planning application. RWE are now hopeful of a formal ECU consent later in 2024. As such, you may notice increased activity at and near Golticlay as we begin gathering information in preparation for our Financial Investment Decision, should a consent follow.  

We are also happy to announce that Caithness Voluntary Group has been nominated as the community group leading the way forward on a potential investment opportunity in the project. Should you like any more information on this, or other site activity, please send an email to our stakeholder manager Nick Taylor, contact details below.

To progress our works in preparation for the construction of the Golticlay Wind Farm, we will install a rolling road closure along the C1053 for approximately 30 weeks. We understand that this road closure will affect the surrounding community, and we apologise for any potential delays you may encounter during our work.

Work will begin on Monday 25th November and will initially be focused on a southern section of the c1053 which is closest to the a99 junction. All local through traffic are advised to follow the short sign posted diversion.  

There are several key points you should be aware of about our work:

• Closure points will move along the C1053; residents will always have access to their properties, which our traffic marshals will arrange.
• A 30mph speed limit will be in place along the C1053.
• Fully signposted diversion routes will be in place during this time. A map of these diversions can be found overleaf.
• Public access to Golticlay and Rumster Forests will remain via the southbound C1053 off the A9.

Please see the attached newsletter for a map of the road and the diversion route. 

* The picture on top is an example of Bowbeat Onshore Wind Farm *