Cnoc Buidhe Wind Energy Hub application lodged
We're very pleased to confirm submission of our planning application to the Scottish Government for the Cnoc Buidhe Wind Energy Hub.
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to shaping our proposals by providing feedback and attending our public consultations. A physical copy of the planning application is available at Argyll and Bute Council’s public service points in Campbeltown and Lochgilphead.
The full planning application and all the associated documents can also be viewed online, on this website (see Project Proposal section) and on Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit website (www.energyconsents.scot) reference ECU00004767 where representations can also be submitted up to 19 May 2025.
The proposal is for 29 turbines with tip heights ranging from 180 - 200 m and a total generating capacity of up to 191.4 MW (29 x 6.6 MW). These turbines, together with a battery energy storage facility of up to 108.6 MW, peatland restoration and habitat enhancements, collectively make up the Wind Energy Hub.
Belltown has committed to providing Community Benefit for the lifetime of the project. Based on the current proposal, this would deliver £957,000 each year, for 40 years. During the consultation, local people strongly supported the idea of the community benefit funds being used for an electricity discount scheme (EDS): currently more than 5000 properties stand to benefit with annual discounts ranging between £700 to £150.
Belltown offers a ground-breaking Community Ownership scheme where local communities that host the wind energy hubs are offered 1% of the project ownership for free, with further stakes up to 4% available to be purchased at development cost.
Daniel Morgan, Development Manager at Belltown, added; “At Belltown we fundamentally believe that renewable energy projects should benefit the communities that host them and we look forward to continuing to progress both the Community Benefit and Ownership proposals with the local communities as the application progresses.”
Should the proposal be consented, Belltown could start construction in 2027; the company offers a procurement policy that favours local contractors to ensure they and local suppliers benefit from the project.