Three blades are due to depart the Blade Transfer Area today (Monday 18th May) at approximately 10:00 and will travel south to Lybster before turning onto the c1053 to complete its journey to site. We apologies for any delay to traffic using the a99 and thank you for your patience whilst these deliveries are carried out.
Further detail on the route can be seen by clicking on the “More about turbine blade delivery” link below.
The convoy can be followed live by clicking on the tracker tab below.
Click on the image to zoom.
We expect to complete the following schedule of deliveries this week (weather dependant):
Delivery Schedule (week commencing 18th May)
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
generating capacity
turbines
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.
This was the first time RWE has used a blade lifter in the UK.
The technology eases the challenges of transporting long turbine blades along short and narrow streets.
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 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.
The Golticlay Wind Farm will connect to the existing Mybster Substation, located approximately 15km north of the site. The connection will comprise an underground electricity cable linking the wind farm substation to the final connection point, with the route broadly following the A9. Works to accommodate the cable are currently underway.
We appreciate the concerns being raised in regards to bird deterrents along our grid route. We would like to reassure local people that RWE takes very seriously its commitment to protecting wildlife in and around it projects. Works are being undertaken under supervision of a competent ecologist to ensure mitigation measures are adhered to. We are already conducting ornithological surveys and will continue to do so throughout the full breeding season.
These deterrents are short-term and designed to protect birds by deterring them from nesting immediately adjacent to the cable route. This allows RWE to work quickly and safely, including through the breeding season, while minimising any risk to birds.
These deterrents are well established tools, recognised as safe and effective and do not impact bird populations, nor will they deter birds from nesting along the cable route in the future.
* The picture above is an example from Bowbeat Onshore Wind Farm *
Scotland Onshore