Council lodges planning application for met masts

Planning applications have been made to install 90-metre-tall “met masts” at two of the sites being considered as part of Orkney Islands Council’s proposed Orkney’s Community Wind Farm project.

If approved, the “met masts” would measure wind speed and direction at the sites, as well as recording data that would be used in preparation for noise measurement.

The data would then be used in further assessing the viability of the sites.

The masts are proposed for Quanterness and Hoy — with a different kind of measurement system being considered for the site on Faray.

The planning application is for a mast just over 90 metres in height to be installed at each of the two sites. These would be in place for up to three years, although it is unlikely that they would be required for this length of time.

The equipment used on the met masts gathers a range of meteorological data in order to provide a detailed understanding of the area’s wind characteristics.

Orkney Islands Council announced in April that is was intending to investigate an additional two sites for potential community wind farms in the county — to add to the project already under investigation on Hoy.

The new sites under consideration are located at Faray, in the North Isles, and at Quanterness in St Ola. The aim of the project, which is being led by the OIC’s strategic projects team, would be to generate significant income and community benefit for Orkney.

Sweyn Johnston, the council’s strategic projects director, said: “Applying for planning permission for the “met masts” is the latest stage in further investigating the sites we have identified and have been discussing with folk at drop-in events over the last few months. Installing “met masts” would allow data to be gathered which could be critical in determining how we move forward with the project.”

For more information visit the Planning Application Search and Submission page on the OIC website

• For the Quanterness planning application search for 19/285/PP.

• For the Hoy planning application search for 19/286/PP.