Creag Riabhach Wind Farm gains consent!

We are very pleased that Creag Riabhach Wind Farm (Sutherland) gained consent on 17th October 2016.  Between 2012 and 2014, Caledonian Conservation Ltd provided the full ecology and ornithology services for Creag Riabhach Wind Farm, from feasibility to Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA). 

Situated in the uplands of the Scottish Highlands and bordered by a number of Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), the site was potentially highly ecologically sensitive.  Our ecology surveys and associated advice informed the design process to avoid serious impacts on these important sites, as well as species of conservation concern such as golden eagle, merlin, and both red- and black-throated divers.  Indeed, the landscape was remote and challenging, with extreme weather – wild camping on mountains was necessary to complete robust raptor surveys, for example!

The associated Habitat Management Plan will result in the restoration of a large area of degraded peatland habitat, which will benefit wildlife including the rare Alpine ant-spider (Micaria alpina) and species associated with the bordering protected sites (e.g. greenshank, hen harrier etc).  The restoration of this blanket bog will also help store carbon and combat climate change.

The project received a great deal of support from the local community, who were extremely friendly and helpful during our surveys.  Creag Riabhach Wind Farm will provide a boost to the local rural economy, improve local biodiversity, and help combat climate change by generating clean energy and through peatland restoration.

If you would like to read more about the ecology and ornithology work, the relevant chapters from the Environmental Statement are available to download from our publications page:  http://www.caledonianconservation.co.uk/publications/

For more information about the project, visit:  http://crwf.co.uk/