Golticlay

Golticlay Wind Farm received planning consent in 2021 for 19 turbines at 130m. However, turbine technology evolved considerably since the initial application was submitted (back in 2016) and the decision was made to submit a variation to the original application for a redesigned layout. 

In October 2023, RWE submitted a variation to the Energy Consents Unit (ECU). Key changes included 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.

In December 2024 RWE received final planning consent from the Scottish Government. The consented layout was for 13 turbines at 180m.

Status: In Construction

As part of the construction of Golticlay Wind Farm, near Lybster, we will be starting the delivery of wind turbine components. The 16 mile delivery route commences at Wick Harbour and completes at the wind farm entrance on the C1053.

To ensure safe delivery, the components will be delivered in a convoy with a police escort. Temporary parking restrictions will also be in place in Wick to enable the convoy to pass and appropriate signage will be in place to advise of this.

Golticlay’s wind turbine blades require a specialist transport vehicle, known as a blade lifter, to navigate safely through the narrow streets of Wick. The blade lifter angles the blade in order to turn tight corners. As it travels very slowly, it is not possible for the blades to be transported the entire journey on the blade lifter. Once the convoy is through Wick, the blades will be transferred at the blade transfer area onto more conventional trailers for the onward journey to the wind farm. The two stages of this process are shown in the maps.

For the planned route, please refer to the information boards tab below:

Deliveries are currently planned to take place from April to July 2026 although dates may change due to weather and operational requirements. Movements will take place during daytime hours.

Timings

The first blade movements are scheduled to begin on Tuesday 7^th April. It is expected the convoy will depart Wick Harbour between 09:30 – 10:00 (approximately). For information on the route, please refer to the Further Information tab above.

This is wholly dependant on acceptable weather conditions and could be cancelled at the last minute. Further updates will be posted on this page.

RWE would like to apologise for the unintended inclusion of a photograph in recent communications relating to the Golticlay project. The image was used in error, and we can confirm that the individuals shown are not connected with the Golticlay Wind Farm.

As soon as this was brought to our attention, we removed the photograph from all publications and deleted it from our project files. We are also strengthening our internal checks and staff guidance to prevent a similar issue occurring in future.

We are grateful to the individual who raised this with us and apologise for any concern it may have caused within the local community.

Our upgrade works on the C1053 are now complete and RWE would like to extend a thank you to all local residents and wider road users for your patience whilst we undertook this work.

There is ongoing work on the A99 junction at the C1053 which will enable turbine component delivery.

* The picture above is an example from Bowbeat Onshore Wind Farm *