Dave Thompson MSP

Crofters on the Isle of Skye have welcomed the submission of a wind farm application by Kilmac Construction for Glen Ullinish.

Kilmac Construction, who is working in close partnership with local crofters on the project, submitted their planning application for the 14 turbine wind farm to The Highland Council. If given the go-ahead, the proposed development between Ose and Struan at Allt Dughaill on the Isle of Skye will be able to generate 42MW, the equivalent of generating enough electricity to supply 23,000 homes per year.

The Scottish Government, as the owners of the land, are supporting Kilmac Construction's partnership approach as the Glen Ullinish Wind Farm would represent a significant investment opportunity for Skye and the Highlands region. The company aims to maximise local content in its development, placing contracts with local businesses where possible, from electrical and civil engineering companies to fencers and hoteliers.

The total capital construction costs of the proposed development are estimated at over £55m with circa £5m likely to go to the local contractors, delivering a significant direct boost to the regional economy, in particular the construction and manufacturing sectors. Kilmac Construction will also look to bring additional supply chain opportunities to the area, with a particular focus on providing local training and apprenticeship schemes during both the construction and operational phases of the development.

In addition, Kilmac Construction has worked closely with the local community councils in closest proximity to the proposed development. An agreement has now been reached which will see a community investment fund of £250,000 per year being distributed among the closest communities to the windfarm, namely Struan, Dunvegan, Minginish, Portree and Skeabost, to support a number of local initiatives if the development is given the go-ahead. A yearly payment will also be allocated to the whole of the Isle of Skye, and The Highland Council. This amounts to £6.25m over the lifetime of the project, and would allow the communities themselves to decide how best to realise the opportunities provided by Glen Ullinish Wind Farm.

Angus Beaton, Crofter and Chairperson of the "Ebost Grazings Committee" said:

“We are pleased that Kilmac Construction have facilitated this opportunity for us. Putting the project together has not been easy and we are delighted that the application has now been submitted to The Highland Council. We are looking forward to seeing the wind farm and the benefits it will bring to the community come to fruition.

Derek Ross, Director of Kilmac Construction, commented:

“We have worked on our proposals for Glen Ullinish for nearly 4 years and we are delighted to now have the support of the Scottish Government for our partnership with the local crofters. As one of Scotland’s leading civil engineering and renewable energy contractors, we are keen to grow our core business into the Highlands market and are looking into opening a new office in Inverness.

“We hope that the opportunity to secure economic and social benefits to the local community, Skye, and the Highlands region through our wind farm proposal will be fully realised.

Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said: “I understand an agreement has been reached between the Ebost Crofters, the Government and the developer to progress the planning application for the Glen Ullinish Wind Farm. I welcome this positive step and I am happy that both the crofters and so many communities across Skye will benefit financially from the Benefit Fund.”