Wind Turbine Life Cycle

Kilmac Energy develops, owns and operates onshore wind turbine projects in both rural and urban settings throughout Scotland. There is more to creating successful wind projects than you might think and Kilmac Energy is here to partner landowners through the entire Wind Turbine lifecycle. There are no outgoings for the landowner from beginning to end of the project and all we ask is for your ongoing collaboration and patience as we progress the project through the complex Scottish planning system.

1. Site Selection
Thorough diligence at the outset of any project is mandatory. This requires a desk top survey and site visit. Both are fundamental to insure the land determined as the possible spot for wind development has no show stoppers. During this exercise Kilmac assess topography, wind flow, proximity to dwellings, site access, overhead aviation routes, public rights of way, local planning policy and statutory land designations. If done well this should provide confidence that it is worth taking the risk to develop further and there are normally always 4 key drivers to a wind project proving a success or not:
a) Site access - can you get the turbine physically onto the land (including the roads) b) Grid connectivity - how close are you to a grid connection and is there available capacity (Kilmac insure this is secured at Site Promotion stage with outlays in excess of circa 200k required regularly. c) Social & ecological issues - how close are you to the nearest houses, are you in an SSSI, national park etc or are you within aviation routes. d) Cumulative impact - what other developments have already taken place in your area

2. Legal Procurement
Following initial acceptance that the risks associated with promoting the site for turbine(s) is worthwhile Kilmac will then agree Heads of Agreement with the landowner and proceed to instruct legal advisors to draft and conclude an option agreement and agreed form lease , affording Kilmac the rights to carry out all necessary steps to enable development of the site. Kilmac will then proceed to expend monies on preliminary studies and undertake the appropriate site promotion protocol.

3. Site Promotion
Once a site is deemed suitable and arrangements finalised with the Land Owner, Kilmac Energy will involve the necessary external stakeholders such as SNH and thereafter submit a project outline document to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) and agree an appropriate programme of assessments with the planning office. These assessments will determine the environmental impact the turbine development will have on the site and will consider a wide range of issues including, but not limited to ecology, landscape and visual impact and noise. Once complete the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is submitted in support of the Planning Application for the scheme. We understand the sensitivities of wind energy development and therefore seek to consult and involve the local community at the key stages of site promotion; dealing with enquiries and concerns in an honest and open way at all times. We will also submit a grid connection application to the local electricity network operator, which can regularly require upfront payments of over 200k.

4. Statutory Consents
A decision from the LPA can take up to 18 months from the application being registered although in some cases decisions can be accelerated. The landowner will be kept fully advised on a regular basis as we aim to secure the appropriate consents permitting development.

5. Finance
During the Consent stage Kilmac Energy will put in place the necessary plan to finance the development. Once consent is granted Kilmac will complete the financing of the project and move quickly into the Construction phase.

6. Construction
Kilmac Energy working in tandem with sister company Kilmac Construction will complete the construction of the project. A full method statement and project plan will be discussed in detail with landowners to insure minimum disruption. This will cover the construction of access roads, all ground works including foundations and laying of underground cables, construction of a substation, turbine assembly and finally the connection of the turbine(s) to the local or National grid.

7. Operation & Management

Once complete and operational the turbine(s) will begin to generate electricity and the landowner will thereafter benefit from ongoing guaranteed income Kilmac Energy will operate the turbines remotely. Maintenance of the turbines will be organised by Kilmac Energy and will be carried out by the Turbine manufacturers.

8. Decommission or Replace
At the end of the projects lifecycle - typically 25 years, Kilmac Energy will either decommission the project, returning the land to its previous state, or will renew the wind turbine(s) for a further 25 years (this will be subject to further planning permission).