Welcome to Craighead Wind Farm

The aim of this website is to provide easy access to the latest information on Craighead Wind Farm, as well as how you can get involved and share your views.

Galileo is proposing a wind farm on land northwest of the hamlet of Carnbo in Kinross-shire, located approximately 6km northwest of Kinross and 7.5km northeast of Dollar. 

Comprising 8 turbines, the development is proposed to have a generating capacity of up to 48 megawatts (MW).

At Galileo, we are committed to working with local communities and stakeholders to responsibly develop renewable energy projects that help to deliver Scottish climate change targets and ensure a green and sustainable future for generations to come.

The Craighead Wind Farm project will make a sizeable contribution to the decarbonisation of our electricity system and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as delivering significant community benefits, including the potential for reductions in electricity bills.

Tackling the Climate Emergency

“Right now, we are facing a man-made disaster of global scale. Our greatest threat in thousands of years, climate change.” 1

Sir David Attenborough

The proposal for Craighead Wind Farm is set against the backdrop of the climate emergency, and the need to transition to renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from polluting fossil fuels.

It is no understatement to say that man-made climate change is the defining crisis of our time, and it is happening even more quickly than we feared, with major global impacts.

Craighead Wind Farm will play its part in tackling the overall challenge and supporting the delivery of the Scottish Government’s ambitious legally-binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.2  It could power the equivalent of up to around 33,600 homes annually with clean, low-cost renewable electricity.3

Replacing polluting fossil fuels, the dominant cause of global warming, the  wind farm could save up to around 47,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, supporting our transition to a low-carbon future.4  This is the equivalent of taking up to around 27,900 cars off the road.5

Recent events, such as the war in Ukraine, have also focused people’s minds on the risks of overreliance on imported fossil fuels, with the rising cost of gas driving the huge increase in energy bills, a key cause of the cost-of-living crisis.

Onshore wind is one of the cheapest sources of new-build electricity generation in the UK, and therefore has a key role to play in addressing this crisis.

The growth of secure homegrown renewable energy can also help to insulate Scotland and the rest of the UK from future price shocks, and play a key role in decarbonising heat, power and transport.

Turbine Layout

Project Proposal 

Located in the Ochil Hills, the site comprises two parcels of land which are used for upland grazing and forestry. It benefits from an excellent wind resource and has no onsite environmental designations that restrict its scope for accommodating a wind farm.

Comprising 8 wind turbines, Craighead Wind Farm will have a mix of 180m and 200m blade tip heights. Turbine technology has advanced considerably in recent years, meaning that turbines are now taller and more efficient, which enables them to generate a significantly greater amount of renewable electricity per turbine.

In addition to the considerable environmental benefits, Craighead Wind Farm will provide long-term economic and social benefits. These include providing funding to support local initiatives and supporting construction and operational employment.

Project Background

The initial proposal for Craighead Wind Farm, comprised up to 12 wind turbines, with a blade tip height of 200m and a total generating capacity of up to 72MW.

Being over 50MW, the application for planning consent would have been submitted to the Scottish Ministers for determination under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, a process administered by the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) of the Scottish Government.

A request for a scoping opinion was submitted to the ECU in February 2023.6 In response to the opinion received in May 2023, and following feedback received from the public and statutory consultees, the decision was taken to reduce the number of wind turbines to up to 10 (generating capacity of up to 60MW).

Extensive community consultation was undertaken on this scheme with the local community council, ward councillors, and other key stakeholders. In addition to this, two public consultation events were held in Carnbo and Dunning in August 2023.

In response to ongoing assessments and surveys, and to optimise the layout, a decision has now been made to reduce Craighead Wind Farm to 8 wind turbines, with a generating capacity of up to 48MW. 

As the generating capacity of the wind farm is between 20MW and 50MW, this is what is classed as a ‘major’ development under The Town and Country Planning (Hierarchy of Developments) (Scotland) Regulations 2009. Any subsequent planning application for it will be submitted to Perth and Kinross Council for determination.

Facts and Figures

Location

  • Nearest turbine is over 2km northwest of Carnbo
  • Site is 6km northwest of Kinross
  • 7km west of Milnathort
  • Over 5km east of Yetts o’Muckhart

Specification

  • 8 wind turbines
  • Mix of 180m and 200m blade tip heights
  • Generating capacity of up to 48MW
  • Wind farm lifetime of up to 50 years

Why Craighead?

  • Excellent wind speed
  • Could power up to around 33,600 homes annually 
  • Could save up to around 47,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually
  • Local economic and social benefits
  • No environmental designations on the site

Community Engagement

At Galileo, we strongly believe in the need for ongoing dialogue regarding our projects, promising to consult and listen carefully to views on the proposals for Craighead Wind Farm, and making changes where possible.

As part of this process, we believe in meaningful and effective consultation, aiming to engage early on with the local community and other key stakeholders in advance of the submission of a planning application for the wind farm to Perth and Kinross Council.

Pre-application consultation (PAC) helps to identify issues and concerns, as well as benefits and opportunities, that we can then consider when developing the proposal prior to the submission of an application.

As a major development, and in accordance with planning regulations, a proposal of application notice (PAN) was submitted to Perth and Kinross Council and other key stakeholders, such as councillors and community councils, in October 2023.7

This is a notice advising on how we intend to engage with the community on the wind farm, prior to submitting the application. 

An application can only be submitted after a minimum 12-week period from the submission of the PAN,  and requires us to hold a minimum of two public consultation events.

Previous public consultation event held in Carnbo, August 2023

Public Consultation Events – November 2023

As part of our PAC process, and in accordance with the PAN, we will be holding two public consultation events in the local area in November 2023. This will enable people to learn more about the project, discuss the proposal with our project team, and provide feedback on the initial early-stage design.

Consultation Event Dates:

  • Carnbo Community Hall, Carnbo, KY13 0NS  | Tuesday 14th November 2023 between 3:30pm and 7:30pm.
  • Dunning Village Hall, Auchterarder Road, Dunning, PH2 0RJ  | Wednesday 15th November 2023 between 3:30pm and 7:30pm.

A newsletter has been circulated to the local community and key stakeholders, providing details of the project and these public consultation events.

newsletter (PDF) (click here to access) consultation boards (PDF) (click here to access) Consultation wirelines & photomontages (PDF) (click here to access)

Please return your feedback by Friday 1st December 2023, or send your comments by post to Orbit Communications, 42 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4HQ. Email craighead@galileoenergy.uk.

If you are unable to access this consultation material, or would like to obtain it by alternative means, please contact us as per above, or by calling 0131 202 3259.

Any written consultation feedback submitted to Galileo will be considered by the project team over the coming months as the wind farm proposals are developed and refined. This is in addition to feedback from key consultees, and the findings from the technical and environmental studies that we are undertaking. 

It should be noted that comments submitted do not constitute representations to Perth and Kinross Council. There will be an opportunity to make representations on any resultant planning application to the Council.

Next Steps

We will hold a second series of public consultation events on the 23rd and 24th January 2024, to update the local community on the proposals and present the final design. People will again have the opportunity to speak to the team about the project and provide written feedback to Galileo.

These events will also refer to the written feedback received from the November 2023 events and consultation period, and explain any changes made to the proposals in response to this.

A PAC report will accompany any subsequent planning application to Perth and Kinross Council, anticipated to be submitted in Spring 2024. This will outline what public consultation has taken place and how any feedback was taken on board, addressing any comments which could not be accommodated.

Indicative Timeline

  1. Underway

    2022-2023

  2. Submitted to Perth and Kinross Council

    October 2023

  3. Submitted February 2023

    Opinion received May 2023

  4. Public Consultation Events

    August 2023

  5. November 2023 and January 2024

  6. Submitted to Perth and Kinross Council

    Spring 2024
  7. 2025
  8. 2028
  9. 2029 (earliest)

Galileo’s Community Offering

Galileo is committed to developing projects that deliver substantial and tangible long-term benefits locally, fostering strong community relations.

If consented, significant funding will be distributed to the local community over the lifetime of Craighead Wind Farm through our Community Wealth Fund and Construction Community Fund, with an opportunity for community shared ownership also on offer. 

These are voluntary schemes offered to the local community, with the potential to deliver considerable long-term benefits, and are separate from the planning application.

In addition. the wind farm will create employment and provide opportunities for local businesses in areas such as construction and hospitality, as well as in the wider supply chain. Business rates will also be paid on the wind farm, helping to pay for local council services.

Through our Community Wealth Fund, we adhere to the Scottish Government Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits, which offers a funding package of £5,000 per MW of  generating capacity to the local community..8 We however go above and beyond this, with our offer of shared ownership and Construction Community Fund, as outlined below.

Community Wealth Fund

The wind farm will provide a real opportunity to build and contribute to a lasting and sustainable Community Wealth Fund, benefitting the local community over the lifetime of the wind farm and beyond.

Galileo is committed to exploring with local groups and organisations as to how a such a fund, worth up to around £240,000 per annum index-linked for the operational lifetime of the wind farm, can best be distributed.

The extent of the fund will be based on a generating capacity for the wind farm of up to 48MW, with each MW providing a guaranteed income of £5,000 annually.

We actively encourage input from members of the local community concerning the types of local projects they would like to see benefit from the Community Wealth Fund.

Some suggestions to consider are highlighted below:

  • Renewable Electricity Discount Scheme (REDS)

It is clear from meetings with community councils, local organisations and individuals, that there is an interest in electricity discounts arising from the wind farm development.

The Craighead Renewable Electricity Discount Scheme (REDS) will provide a direct and tangible benefit to people living and working nearest to the wind farm, and be open to all residential, commercial and community properties.

A preliminary suggestion is that discounts on electricity bills range from £1,400 per annum for those properties located within 1.5km of the nearest turbine, to £200 for those between 4.5km and 5km (see map link below).

This £1,400 figure is based on the average electricity bill for the South of Scotland of £1,351 for the 2022/23 financial year, and would be index-linked for the operational lifetime of the wind farm.9

To achieve this, we are collaborating with an innovative utility provider to form a partnership to implement the REDS scheme. 

It should be reiterated that this is subject to further consultation with the community.

Reds map (PDF) (Click here to access)
  • Education and Training Fund

Galileo could set up a wind farm bursary scheme to encourage local students who want to extend their education but may not have the means to do so. Working with local schools, further and higher education providers, and Skills Development Scotland, this would support aspiring learners and those wanting to enter Modern Apprenticeships or develop land-based skills.

Community Shared Ownership

In addition to the Community Wealth Fund, up to 10% ownership of Craighead Wind Farm will be offered to the community surrounding the development to invest in. The profits generated by any ownership stake can be used to benefit the community.

By participating in shared ownership of a renewable energy project, communities can share in a range of benefits including developing a sustainable income stream over which they have control, creating strong partnerships, and building resilience in their local area.

Galileo has a long-term working relationship with Local Energy Scotland (www.localenergy.scot), the Scottish Government’s adviser on shared ownership, who can assist in providing professional advice and support to the local community.

Additionally, our team is extremely well-placed having been directly involved in successfully delivering community shared ownership elsewhere in Scotland.

Construction Community Fund

A Construction Community Fund will be made available to local groups and organisations to coincide with the start of construction until the commencement of the operation of the wind farm. This will help to offset any inconvenience caused during the construction period, and amount to around £100,000.

Opportunities for Local Businesses and Suppliers

In addition to the community benefits already highlighted, some of the most direct and meaningful benefits that can be delivered from a wind farm proposal like Craighead are jobs and employment opportunities for local businesses and contractors, in addition to the use of local services and amenities.

All of these can generate a significant amount of inward investment in the area.

Galileo is committed to ensuring that, wherever reasonably practicable, local employees and contractors are used in all aspects of wind farm development.

These opportunties include:

  • Construction, fencing, drainage and forestry contractors
  • Electrical contractors
  • Materials suppliers, such as building merchants
  • Plant hire and security
  • Waste management and fuel providers
  • Local hospitality providers, such as B&Bs

Galileo is keen to hear from local businesses who may be able to offer skills and services to Craighead Wind Farm, and we are working with Perthshire Chamber of Commerce to maximise awareness of the opportunities available in the local supply chain.

If you are a local business and would like to know more about these, please contact us via our feedback form below or email us at craighead@galileoenergy.uk. There will also be the opportunity to engage with us at the consultation events highlighted.

Economic Impacts Assessment

Click image to enlarge.

Jason Morin

Senior Project Manager

About Galileo

Galileo is a fast-growing pan-European, multi-technology, renewable energy developer, owner and operator, with a mission to significantly contribute to achieving global emission reduction targets.

We aim to do this by developing enough smart, efficient, high-quality and integrated green energy projects, so that renewable energy becomes the primary source of electricity for all energy consumers in Europe.

Founded in 2020, Galileo currently has a project development portfolio of over 7000MW across multiple European countries, including the UK, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Poland.

Our senior management team is made up of leading energy and investment experts that bring decades of international experience across more than thirty markets. Galileo’s funders are long-term infrastructure and pension funds with a global footprint, international mindset and a collaborative mentality.

Further Information

To discuss the Craighead proposal in more detail, please contact:

Jason Morin
Senior Project Manager
Galileo
7-9 N St David St
Edinburgh EH2 1AW

Email: craighead@galileoenergy.uk
Telephone: 0131 202 3259