GLASGOW, July 08, 2024 – In line with its commitment to keeping people informed and updated on the development of Spiorad na Mara – a proposed offshore windfarm approximately 5-13km off the west coast of the Isle of Lewis – the project is sending an extensive update to local communities and stakeholders.
Commencing on Monday, 08 July 2024, the latest project update from Spiorad na Mara will be delivered to around 11,500 homes on the Isle of Lewis, over a two-week period. It will also be shared with a wide range of other stakeholders and interested parties. The update contains the latest information on all key parts of the project, both offshore and onshore. It also includes details of new ‘community drop-ins’ which provide opportunities for the local community and businesses to meet with members of the Spiorad na Mara team, to ask questions, give feedback and discuss any topics of interest or concern.
“We know there is a real desire locally to hear more from the project team and we are pleased that we are now in a position to communicate more detail,” said Tanya Davies, Project Director of Spiorad na Mara. “We hope that by sharing the latest project update directly with some 11,500 properties, we will be able to increase awareness and understanding about the project. We are also pleased to have expanded our local engagement with the start of new, regular community drop-ins, where we look forward to having more substantial conversations, and to hearing a range of views. The drop-ins are a great way for anyone to come and meet with us, share their thoughts, ask questions and continue to get the latest up-to-date information on the project.”
The project update also details the latest plans for the first phase of public consultation, which is expected to take place in the Autumn. At this point, the project will share the latest updates on all aspects of Spiorad na Mara and invite feedback on the initial plans as they are taking shape. This will help inform how the project is designed in a way that best addresses the concerns and desires of local people, whilst also balancing relevant technical and environmental considerations.
The community drop-ins for the month of July take place next week, as follows:
- Monday, July 15th: Old Schoolhouse, Shawbost, 10am-3pm
- Tuesday, July 16th: Carloway Community Centre, 10am-3pm
- Wednesday, July 17th: Galson Trust Offices, 10am-3pm
- Thursday, July 18th: Stornoway Business Hub, 10am-3pm
Appointments may be booked between 10am and 12pm by visiting the project website or calling +44 7396818000, or people are welcome to drop in from 12-3pm.
Spiorad na Mara will deliver substantial benefits to local, regional, and national economies, including a multi-million-pound community investment package over the lifetime of the project, which will go directly into local communities.
The project is owned by Northland Power (75.5%) and ESB (24.5%), with Northland leading on the development, construction, and operation.
Further information is available at www.spioradnamara.co.uk
Contact:
Steve Thomas
Communications Adviser, Northland Power
+44 (0)7359 614023
About Spiorad na Mara
Spiorad na Mara is a proposed offshore wind farm, located approximately 5-13 km off the west coast of Lewis. With an expected installed capacity of around 900 MW, it could meet the average annual electricity needs of around 1.2 million1 Scottish homes with low-cost renewable electricity and save more than 1.7 million1 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
Spiorad na Mara is owned by Northland Power (75.5%) and ESB (24.5%), with Northland leading on the development, construction, and operation.
Further information is available at www.spioradnamara.co.uk.
1 More than 1.2 million homes powered per annum based on the average Scottish annual household electricity consumption of 3,078 kWh in 2022 (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/regional-and-local-authority-electricity-consumption-statistics) together with a minimum projected 50% wind load factor and a projected installed capacity of up to 900MW.
About Northland Power
Northland Power is a global power producer dedicated to helping the clean energy transition by producing electricity from clean renewable resources. Founded in 1987, Northland has a long history of developing, building, owning, and operating clean and green power infrastructure assets and is a global leader in offshore wind. In addition, Northland owns and manages a diversified generation mix, including onshore renewables, efficient natural gas energy, as well as supplying energy through a regulated utility.
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with global offices in eight countries, Northland owns or has an economic interest in 3.4GW (net 2.9GW) of operating capacity. The Company also has a significant inventory of projects in construction and in various stages of development, encompassing over 12GW of potential capacity.
Publicly traded since 1997, Northland’s common shares, Series 1 and Series 2 preferred shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols NPI, NPI.PR.A and NPI.PR.B, respectively.
For further information, visit https://www.northlandpower.com
About ESB
ESB has been Ireland’s foremost energy company since it was established in 1927, driven by an unwavering commitment to power society forward and deliver a net-zero future for our customers and the communities we serve.
ESB is involved in six offshore wind projects in Scotland, which complements a 1,200MW pipeline of onshore wind farms.
As a strong, diversified utility, ESB operates across the electricity market, from generation through transmission and distribution, to supply of customers in addition to using our networks to carry fibre for telecommunications. As at year-end 2022, ESB has a regulated asset base of approximately €12.0 billion (comprising ESB Networks €9.7 billion and NIE Networks €2.3 billion), a 30% share of generation in the all-island market, and supply businesses supplying electricity and gas to over two million customer accounts throughout the island of Ireland and Great Britain. At June 2023, ESB Group employed almost 9,000 people.
