Spiorad na Mara – a proposed offshore windfarm, located approximately 5-13km off the west coast of the Isle of Lewis – has today announced the submission of the planning application and accompanying Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) for the Onshore Transmission Works (OTW) associated with the project.
The OTW consists of the essential electrical infrastructure necessary for connecting the proposed offshore windfarm to the grid and includes the landfall, a potential landfall substation, the onshore cable route, and a grid substation, which together enable the transmission of renewable electricity generated out at sea to the National Electricity Transmission System.v
The application and all associated documents may be viewed on the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar website and on the Spiorad na Mara website.
The submission follows several years of extensive technical and environmental assessments, public consultation and community and stakeholder engagement, with feedback from local residents, stakeholders, and statutory consultees helping to shape proposals and inform the design of the onshore infrastructure.
“This is another significant milestone for the project, following the submission of a planning application for the offshore elements in March,” said Martin Whyte, Project Director. “Both planning submissions reflect years of careful design, environmental studies, and meaningful engagement and consultation with the local community and stakeholders. We are committed to delivering a project that not only supports the transition to clean energy but also brings long-term benefits to the Isle of Lewis and the wider region.”
The application is supported by a comprehensive EIAR, which evaluates the maximum potential effects which may arise from the OTW on the environment, people and local communities and details the measures which will be taken to avoid, minimise or offset any impacts together with environmental enhancement measures.
Formal notice giving details of the consultation period and how members of the public and other stakeholders can comment on the proposals will be published by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the Stornoway Gazette and Edinburgh Gazette.
In addition to the Comhairle office in Stornoway (during office hours), printed copies of the full onshore planning application, including all drawings and visualisations, will be available for inspection at the following locations from Thursday 11 June.
Location | Address | Opening Hours |
Stornoway Library | 19 Cromwell St, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2DA | Tuesday – Friday 10:00 – 17:00 Saturday 10:00 – 16:00 |
Horshader Community Development | Raebhat House, North Shawbost, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9BD | 1 Monday – Thursday 9:00 – 17:00 Friday 9:00 – 16:00 |
Carloway Community Centre | Knock, Carloway, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9AU | 2 Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 17:00 |
1 Horshader Community Development will not be open on 25 June due to their scheduled chiropody practice visits.
2 These are the core opening hours for Carloway Community Centre, though the venue may be open longer most days. The EIAR and associated documents will be available to view during the full opening hours each day.
Copies of the Non-Technical Summary of the EIAR are available at a number of local venues for members of the public to take away or may be requested by emailing
spioradnamara@northlandpower.com or calling +44 (0)7442 585935.
A separate planning application for the offshore infrastructure was submitted to the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate – Licensing Operations Team in March, which includes the wind turbines, foundations, a potential offshore substation, array cables, and offshore export cables. The consultation period for this application is now closed, however, the application documents may still be viewed on the project website.
If consented, Spiorad na Mara would have an anticipated capacity of 900 megawatts, enough to power the average annual electricity needs of around 1.2 million3 Scottish homes with renewable electricity and save more than 1.7 million tonnes of harmful carbon emissions every year.
Subject to the outcome of the planning processes, Spiorad na Mara could become operational in the early 2030s.
Spiorad na Mara is owned by Northland Power (75.5%) and ESB (24.5%), with Northland leading on the development.
For further information on the project, please visit www.spioradnamara.co.uk.
Contact:
Steve Thomas
Communications Lead, Northland Power
+44 (0)7359 597354
steve.thomas@northlandpower.com
3 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 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 equivalent average annual electricity needs of around 1.2 million3 Scottish homes with renewable electricity and save more than 1.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
Further information is available at www.spioradnamara.co.uk
About Northland Power
Northland Power is a Canada-based global power producer dedicated to accelerating the global energy transition. Founded in 1987, with almost four decades of experience, Northland has a long history of developing, owning and operating a diversified mix of energy infrastructure assets, including offshore and onshore wind, solar, battery energy storage, and natural gas. Northland also supplies energy through a regulated utility.
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with global offices in seven countries, Northland owns or has an economic interest in 3.5 GW of gross operating generating capacity, 2.2 GW under construction and an inventory of early to mid-stage development opportunities encompassing approximately 10 GW 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.
About ESB
ESB is involved in six offshore wind projects and 2GW of onshore wind projects in Scotland as part of its drive for a 5GW renewable electricity portfolio across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain by 2030. Since its foundation almost 100 years ago, ESB has always been fully invested in the lives of the customers and communities we serve. We have set a target to achieve net zero by 2040 and have committed to do this in a way that enables communities and natural habitats to thrive. Our focus is on developing and connecting renewables, building resilient infrastructure and empowering our customers to live healthier, more sustainable lives using clean electricity.