Project updates
These are the latest project updates.
Latest news
A team of cyclists from Statkraft has raised funds for Mikeysline by taking on the 66-mile Etape Loch Ness, supporting the Highland mental health charity that provides a vital lifeline to people in crisis.
The six-strong team included Iain Robertson, Head of Statkraft Scotland, who joined the ride to support a cause close to his heart. After meeting the team at
Mikeysline, he said:
“It was a privilege to meet the Mikeysline team and hear first-hand about the work they do. You can see how much they care, and how determined they are to support people in their most difficult moments.
“Mental health challenges affect so many of us - directly or through people we care about - and services like Mikeysline are absolutely vital. They provide a safe space and real support when it's needed most. I’m proud our team could play a small part in helping them in that work.”
Iain was joined by Scott Gilbert, Project Director for Statkraft’s Loch na Cathrach pumped hydro project, and John Young, Public Affairs Manager for Statkraft, to hand over the cheque on behalf of the group.
Scott, who lives locally with his wife and has fundraised for Mikeysline in the past, added:
“It’s impossible to live here and not know about the amazing work Mikeysline do day in, day out. Their staff and volunteers are incredibly committed and make a real difference to people’s lives across the region and in our schools.
Our team of Statkraft cyclists were proud to take on the Etape and raise funds for a charity that so many people in the Highlands turn to when they need help the most.”
Together, the team raised £2,718 which was match funded by Statkraft, doubling the donation to support Mikeysline’s vital work to £5436.
With several major renewable energy projects underway across the Highlands, including Achrugan, Loch Liath, Coille Beith, and Carn Fearna, Statkraft is committed to supporting the communities it works in and upholding its good neighbour ethos.
Allana Stables, Bee the Change Manager from Mikeysline said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Statkraft team for their support. Fundraising like this helps us continue to be that vital lifeline across our local communities. Every single donation really does make a difference and the fact that people are willing to get involved, raise awareness, and show up for others really does means the world to our grassroots charity.”
Statkraft will sponsor the Highlands & Islands Green Energy Conference 2025 in Inverness on May 22, gathering policymakers, industry leaders, and community voices to discuss renewable infrastructure, local supply chains, and workforce development for Scotland’s net zero goals.
Head of Statkraft Scotland, Iain Robertson said:
“Statkraft is proud to be an event sponsor, as part of our ongoing commitment to Scotland’s target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2045 - with the Highlands and Islands playing a leading role in the UK’s energy transition.
"From developments that include Loch na Cathrach, our pumped storage hydro project on the shores of Loch Ness, and Energy Isles Wind Farm in Shetland - Statkraft is making a difference to deliver renewable infrastructure that creates skilled jobs, supports communities, and drives long-term impact."
Thank you to everyone who visited our information session in Strathpeffer and Garve.
All planning application documents remain available for consultation at both venues. All documents are also available online on the website of the Energy Consents Unit (Ref. ECU00004851) or on the Planning Application Documents section of our website.
If you have any questions about the application or would like help finding information within the application, please get in touch. You can email the team at ukprojects@statkraft.com, call the Communities Team on 0800 772 0668 or request a callback via the website.
Please note that representations on the planning application should be made directly to the Energy Consents Unit as outlined in the public notice. Comments made to Statkraft are not representations.
Come along to our information day on Wednesday, 7th May 2025 to find out more about our final application. Our project manager will be available to answer any questions and provide information on the process for preparing a representation to the Energy Consents Unit.
A full copy of the planning application will be available to browse.
Wednesday, 7th May 2025
9.30am to 11.30am
Strathpeffer Community Centre, School Road, Strathpeffer IV14 9AG
1.30pm to 3.30pm
Garve Village Hall, Garve, IV23 2PR
Comments made to Statkraft are not representations to the consenting authority. Representations to the application should be made directly to the Scottish Government Energy Consent Unit, referencing Carn Fearna Wind Farm under application reference ECU00004851. Visit energyconsents.scot for full details.
Following a period of validation by the Energy Consents Unit, the full Section 36 Application for Carn Fearna Wind Farm is now available.
The full application can be viewed on the Planning Application Documents section of the project website or on the Energy Consents Unit website (Ref. ECU00004851).
Details of how to make a representation to the Energy Consent Unit are available in the Public Notice which has been published in full on the project website and which is available as a downloadable PDF file.
The project team would like to thank the communities around Garve, Strathpeffer and Contin for the positive engagement throughout the project. The feedback received has been critical in shaping the design of the proposed wind farm, including reducing the number of proposed turbines.
We look forward to continuing our engagement through the consenting process.
Following extensive environmental impact assessment surveys and public consultation, we have submitted our Section 36 Application to the Scottish Government Energy Consent Unit.
Our application is now being validated by the Energy Consents Unit, ahead of full publication on their website. We anticipate validation to be complete by Friday 25 April, at which point all documentation will be published on the Energy Consents Unit website (Ref. ECU00004851) and this project website, along with our public notice and instructions on how to make representation to the ECU
Following the workshop facilitated by Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) at Garve Village Hall on 27 February, an online survey with the questions posed at the event is now available.
Visit the survey set up by PAS here to view the materials from the event and to respond. Please ensure that you respond by the end of the day on Sunday 9 March to have your views included in the report that PAS will compile for Statkraft.
Planning Aid Scotland is hosting a community drop-in event to gather views on how to improve the natural environment around the proposed Carn Fearna Wind Farm site.
Following the event, Planning Aid Scotland will independently produce a report that will be shared with both Statkraft and the community.
For more information on Planning Aid Scotland and to access their services, visit Home - Planning Aid Scotland.
An application for a temporary Meteorological Mast (commonly known as a "Met Mast") has been submitted by Statkraft to the Highland Council as part of on-going surveys for the proposed Carn Fearna Wind Farm.
If consented, the plans will see a 120m mast erected to the north of the existing communications antenna on the proposed Carn Fearna site for a period of up to three years. The mast will be equipped with sensors to measure wind speed direction to provide more accurate information about the prevailing wind conditions. This data will support selection of the final candidate turbine and plans for the operation of the wind farm if the project is consented.
The full application can be viewed on The Highland Council’s online planning portal, reference 24/02379/FUL. All comments and representations should be made directly to The Highland Council.
The second round of public engagement on the proposed Carn Ferna Wind Farm have been confirmed by Statkraft, as details are mailed to more than 1700 local households and businesses.
Public exhibitions will take place in Garve, Contin and Strathpeffer across the 15 and 16 of May. An online version of the exhibition will run from 7 May.
Local residents are invited to give feedback on the updated proposals for the wind farm, which has seen a further reduction in the number of turbines and reduction in height of four further turbines.
The public exhibition will be held at:
- Contin Community Hall: 10:30AM - 2PM, 15 May
- Garve Public Hall: 3:30PM-8:30PM, 15 May
- Strapeffer Community Centre: 3PM-6:30PM, 16 May
Ahead of the second round of public consultation on the proposed Carn Fearn Wind Farm, Statkraft have unveiled an amended layout plan for the site.
Following the first round of public engagement in late 2023 and on-going engagement with statutory consultees, an amended layout has been put forward. This sees a 9 turbine scheme proposed, a further reduction from the 14 turbine scoping layout and the 11 turbine lasyout presented at the previous round of public exhibitions.
The new layout also sees four turbines have their height reduced to a maximum of 180 meters to tip, down from 200 meters to tip. Together, the reduction in height and the reduction in numbers are intended to significantly reduce the visual impact of the scheme.
Highland Tourism Community Interest Company (HTCIC) has announced Statkraft as a Premier Sponsor for its Highland Renewables activities.
The Sponsorship which includes support of a series of business and community roadshows, with Kate Forbes MSP (Highland Tourism Ambassador and former Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy) as a key speaker, will help to grow the already expanding Highland Renewables activity which is part of the Highland Tourism CIC group.
Business leaders from the renewable energy and tourism sectors, as well as whisky, heritage and other sectors important to the Highland economy, will be invited to attend the roadshows along with community leaders to discuss actions to benefit the growth and future of the Highlands. The roadshows are planned for early 2024.
Iain Robertson, Head of Statkraft Scotland, said: “Bringing together the renewable energy and tourism sectors is a world-first and will surely be good for the Highland economy. Statkraft has a good neighbour ethos, whereby we try to bring extra value to the communities where we have developments and operations. The work being delivered by Highland Tourism CIC is ground-breaking and we’re pleased to be playing our part in making it all happen.”
Read the full announcement here.
We are pleased to have submitted a Scoping Request to the Scottish Government to progress our proposal for Carn Fearna Wind Farm, located east of Garve in The Highland Council Area.
We are considering the potential of up to 14 turbines, with a maximum blade tip height of up to 200m for the proposed Carn Fearna Wind Farm. This would have a maximum installed capacity of 92MW based on our current candidate turbines.
Engaging early with communities is important to us. The Scoping Request is when the project is first introduced to the public and to help keep local communities informed we have published the project website and written to the host and surrounding community councils within local area.
The Scoping period provides the opportunity to formally gather the views of key stakeholders such as NatureScot and local Community Councils about the proposal and the key topics to be assessed as our proposals develop. The findings of these assessments and feedback will help shape our proposals.
There will be further opportunities to view plans and provide your comments during the development stage of the proposal. We will be hosting two rounds of public exhibitions to present our proposals and gather local feedback. We will write to households and businesses around the site ahead of the exhibitions to ensure as many people know about it As well as in-person exhibitions with our project team, there will also be an online exhibition and opportunities to engage in other ways.
You can find the full scoping documents including a location plan for the proposal under project documents or on the Energy Consents Unit website (ref ECU00004851).