Minnygap Wind Farm

PROJECT LAYOUT & INFRASTRUCTURE

Minnygap Wind Farm will consist of 10 turbines, each indicatively rated at 2MW and with an height of 125m to the top of the blade. The layout has changed since submitting our original application in 2005.  Due to the consent of the neighbouring Harestanes Wind Farm RES felt it prudent to modify the design of Minnygap to ensure the wind farms compliment each other.   We have considered a number of different layouts for the wind farm during the evolution of the design. The layout for Minnygap has evolved from studies and input from experienced engineering and technical teams within RES. The layout has also taken into account what we have learnt from carrying out environmental studies on the site and visual impact issues raised by the local community in response to our first application.The layout of the wind farm is shown at the bottom of this page.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

  • Grid connection: All the turbines will generate electricity which will be fed into the local grid via underground cables. The specific route will be determined by the utility company.
  • Tracks: The total length of access track across the site would be 6.5km in total. The tracks will be approximately 5m wide and have been designed, where possible, to run along the edge of field boundaries, in order to avoid disruption to farming activity, recognise environmental constraints, whilst minimising environmental disturbance and land take.
  • Road improvements: The majority of suitable onshore sites for wind farms are of a rural or semi-rural nature. Road networks to such sites will often require some degree of upgrading to accommodate construction and turbine delivery traffic. The site entrance options and the various on-site and off-site routes have been examined for suitability by an experienced engineer from RES. Relevant Highways Authorities have also been consulted including Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Highways Agency. The most appropriate route to access the site has been identified coming from the south using the A75 and A701. Minor improvement work will be required to allow access for the larger turbine components. This route will ensure that turbine construction and delivery traffic will cause minimum disturbance to local residents and road users en route to site. Traffic management measures will be implemented prior to and during the construction phase in consultation with the relevant Highways Authorities and the police to minimise any disturbance and ensure the safety of other road users during construction. Increased traffic levels would be experienced intermittently during the 12 months of construction but these effects are temporary and any disturbance to local residents and other road users will be short term.