Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
1.3.8 The Scottish Lowlands Forest District Strategic Plan 2009 - 2013 (Forestry Commission
Scotland, 2009c) describes the principal methods of delivering its renewable energy
objectives within the national policy framework and industry standards for sustainable forest
management. Key themes 1 - Climate Change and 3 – Business Development state that the
Forest District will:
• SL 1.01 – Maximise the potential for wind farms and other renewable energy projects
with regard to landscape, biodiversity, public access, community and economic values
(key theme 1);
• SL 3.13 – Seek the best and most reliable returns from developments to support our
objectives locally and nationally, supported by expert help and well trained staff (key
theme 3).
1.3.9 By developing renewable energy projects, the Forestry Commission is helping to limit and
adapt to the effects of climate change, reduce dependency on fossil fuels and help develop a
low-carbon economy. It is also securing economic benefits for the Forestry Commission and
local communities. These economic benefits are both directly identified as income to the
Forestry Commission and local communities as well as indirect benefits to the rural economy.
1.3.10 For further information on the Forestry Commission Scotland visit:
www.forestry.gov.uk/Scotland and for further information on renewables on Forestry
Commission land visit the forest renewables website http://www.forestry.gov.uk/windhydro.
Working in Partnership – FCS and PfR
1.3.11 The proposed wind farm is being developed by PfR in partnership with FCS. The partnership
runs over two forestry districts, Scottish Borders and Lowlands. Initial screening of the two
districts identified over a dozen sites with potential ranging from single turbine projects to
strategic scale developments. It is expected that the portfolio of sites will deliver around 250
MW of installed capacity.
1.3.12 This working relationship ensures optimal compatibility between forest management and
benefits and wind energy production. The projects are carefully designed to work well with
existing forestry operations, provide opportunities to enhance biodiversity and encourage
local communities to build a real stake in projects that are local to them.
1.3.13 The structure of the partnership involves a staged approach of development, where the
existing Forest Design Plan informs the wind farm design and acceptability of wind turbines
and associated infrastructure, notwithstanding that the existing forest management is part of
an overall set of constraints that affect the design of the proposal.
1.3.14 FCS’s extensive knowledge of the Camilty area in terms of environmental and technical
issues has been key in understanding the characteristics of the development site.
1.3.15 Chapter 3: Design Evolution of this ES describes how the existing Forest Design Plan and
forest management have informed the design of the proposed wind farm. Chapter 4:
Description of the Proposed Development describes in more detail the existing Forest Design
Plan and the proposed amendment to the Forest Design Plan.
March 2013 1-5 ES Chapter 1
Introduction
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