About the project
The Hill of Fare Wind Farm proposal is a 16-turbine 105.6MW wind farm and energy storage proposal at Hill of Fare which lies approximately 6km north of Banchory, in Aberdeenshire.
The Hill of Fare site has been selected for a number of reasons, not least the fact that it was identified within the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan (2017) Spatial Framework for Wind Energy as a ‘Group 3’ area which has ‘potential [for wind energy] subject to detailed consideration’.
Since the site selection, the Aberdeenshire Council adopted its new LDP in January 2023 which reaffirms the Group 3 status. Furthermore, the Scottish Government published the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) in February 2023 which provides the national spatial strategy for Scotland. Whilst it removes identification of Groups 1-3, Policy 11 asserts support for onshore wind farms outside of National Parks and National Scenic Areas. Hill of Fare is outwith such national landscape designations.
A site needs to have enough wind resource, be accessible, have a timely and affordable grid connection and meet criteria for a host of other site constraints. The topography, proximity to housing/communities, waterbodies, peatland, cultural heritage assets, etc, are all considerations that feed in to decisions upon the selection and then design of a site. The Hill of Fare has been selected within this context.
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The need for onshore wind
This is recognised by the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), Scotland’s long term spatial planning strategy, which was published in February 2023. Scotland currently has almost 9GW of operational onshore wind capacity. The Scottish Government has a target of achieving 20GW of installed wind capacity across Scotland by 2030 in order to help meet Scotland's legally-binding 2045 net zero carbon emissions target. This is a substantial increase in capacity and will require a significant deployment of new onshore wind projects in order to meet the demand for green, low carbon electricity - which is not only essential for tackling climate change but also for supporting a globally competitive economy and creating jobs.
Onshore wind alongside other renewable technologies can generate the cheapest form of new electricity generation and isn’t subject to sudden fossil fuel price fluctuations or the uncertainties of global markets. Hill of Fare Wind Farm would be capable of generating enough clean, low-cost electricity for around 101,000 homes and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 69,000 tonnes each year. Onshore wind is also quick to build (12-24 months) and the carbon payback time is usually within 1-3 years – with the Hill of Fare Wind Farm proposal expected to achieve carbon payback within 2.8 years.
Protecting the environment
In August 2022, following initial feasibility work on site we submitted a Scoping Report to the Scottish Government, seeking feedback from the Scottish Government and other key consultees (including local Community Councils) on the scope of the proposed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) survey work.
The report included an early design layout for the proposed scheme comprising 17 turbines at a tip height of around 250m, and a proposed energy storage facility which will help maximise generation capability and efficiency of the site.
The EIA is an extensive piece of work which investigates and mitigates any potential effects of a development on the natural, physical and human environment. Over the last couple of years, RES had undertaken a wide range of technical and environmental surveys on the site covering a wide variety of considerations, including:
- Landscape and visual
- Ornithology
- Ecology
- Acoustics
- Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
- Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology
- Traffic and Transport
The findings from the site studies are written up in a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) which the Scottish Ministers will take into account when deciding whether or not to grant consent for the wind farm. A copy of the EIAR can be found here.
Planning submission
In November 2023, RES submitted a Section 36 application for consent to Scottish Ministers for Hill of Fare Wind Farm. The application was accompanied by other key documentation, including the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). To view the planning application and associated documentation please click here.
In August 2024, RES submitted Additional Information to Scottish Ministers in support of the application. This included further assessment work on matters including ornithology and hydrology in response to feedback received during the Scottish Government's statutory consultation. To view the associated documents please click here. The proposed development remains unchanged from that presented in the Section 36 application.
Public local inquiry
In October 2024, Aberdeenshire Council objected to the application, triggering a public local inquiry (PLI). The PLI will commence on Tuesday 2nd September 2025 at Banchory Town Hall and is scheduled to finish by Thursday 11th September. Following the PLI, the appointed Reporter at the Department of Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) will submit a report and a final determination will be made by Scottish Ministers thereafter.