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Birsay Energy Ltd
A single Enercon E44 900kW wind turbine, located on the edge of the Birsay Moors in the West Mainland of Orkney, with planning consent granted in 2007. This project demonstrates that wind turbines do not need to be positioned on hilltops, and can be located near to sensitive environmental areas; the turbine site is within the boundary of a SSSI and SPA, designated for rare bird species.
Project design and planning completed by Orkney Sustainable Energy Ltd on behalf of Birsay Energy Ltd. Construction began at the end of 2008, with roads and foundations completed in late summer 2009. The wind turbine arrived from Germany in October that year, with the machine switched on and commissioned by the end of 2009. Operations to date have been very succesful, and it should be noted that this is one of the first wind energy projects in Scotland to be operated under an Active Network Management system, where the utility is permitted to manage grid voltages by directly controlling the turbine. This is seen as a mechanism of allowing further generation in areas with weak grids.
Richard Gauld has become Managing Director of Birsay Energy, and site management is under the control of Orkney Sustainable Energy Ltd
Foundation concrete pour underway
Completed foundations
New bridge required
Completed new bridge
Cable laying
Switchgear building
Construction completed
