Douglas West & Dalquhandy DP

Renewable Energy Project

Presentation made to:

Douglas Community Council on 28th Jan 2015

Coalburn Community Council on 2nd Feb 2015

The Site

Douglas

Coalburn Rigside

Glespin

M74

Background to

Project

• The site forms part of the former Dalquhandy Opencast Coal Site.• The site benefits from direct access from the M74 motorway. • The site is in the sole ownership of William Mitchell & Sons Ltd, with the

exception of part of the access road. • Scoping Report for 15 turbine scheme on the site was issued in 2012 by

previous developers, Community Windpower Ltd.• Scheme did not progress at that time due to protracted negotiations with

Scottish Coal over the access road.• Agreement has now been reached for 3R Energy to take the project forward.

Background to

Project

Aerial Photograph from September 1990

Dalquhandy DP

Opencast Operation

Coalburn Village

3R Energy

• 3R Energy was established in 2009 to help farms and rural businesses reduce their energy costs.

• The business continues to grow and we are now the leading installer of Northern Power Systems’ wind turbines in the UK.

• We are a local business based at Lanark Auction Market and we employ local people.

• To date, the mainstay of the business has been farm sized wind turbines and biomass boiler systems.

• Douglas West & Dalquhandy DP Project represents an exciting next step in the development of our business into larger-scale renewables and wood fuel supply.

• We are both landowner and developer of the project.• 3R Energy is committed to working with the local community in Douglas

and Coalburn to develop a successful project.

The Proposed

Development

The Douglas West & Dalquhandy DP Project will be an integrated renewable energy development comprising:

• 15 Turbine Wind Energy Scheme• Wood Fuel Drying Facility

Wind Energy

Project

The Wind Energy Project would comprise of the following:

• Installation of 15 wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 126.5m, each with a typical generating capacity of 3MW.

• Tip height reduced from 150m as originally proposed by CWP. • Construction of ancillary infrastructure including access tracks, a small

substation/control building, underground cabling, and a meteorological mast (existing).

• Creation of a temporary construction compound.• Borrow pit(s) to extract stone. • Access to the site would be direct from the M74 via Junction 11.

Indicative Layout

Dewars

Coalburn

Douglas

Design Iteration

Wood Fuel Drying

Facility

• 3R Energy currently supplies small quantities of wood fuel to our biomass customers through a pilot project on one of our sites which has a small-scale wood drying plant that is powered by one of our 100kW turbines.

• Demand is strong for our wood fuel product from our existing customer base and we see significant growth in the wood fuel sector in Scotland.

• It is proposed to make use of the Dalquhandy DP’s excellent existing infrastructure and transport links to develop a commercial scale wood drying facility on the site.

• The facility will be housed in a large agricultural building on the former DP.• Access to the site would be direct from the M74 via Junction 11.• Electricity generated by the wind turbines would be used to power the

plant in the Wood Fuel Drying Facility.

Wood Fuel Drying

Facility

Current 3RE Trial Plant

Economic & Community

Benefit Opportunity

• The development of the Wind Energy Project and the Wood Fuel Drying Plant on the site would see significant local investment and the creation of local business opportunities during both construction and operation.

• 3R Energy propose to develop the site ourselves and to enter into a Local Employment Agreement with South Lanarkshire Council to ensure that the sourcing of local labour is given the highest priority.

• As a Clydesdale Business, we are committed to using suppliers as close to the project as possible and to delivering a high percentage of construction values to local companies through our ‘Keep it Local’ policy.

• Development of a heritage trail and formal footpath network linking Douglas and Coalburn through the site – potential to become part of a wider strategic network being developed by SLC to link Glasgow with the River Ayr Way and the Southern Upland Way.

‘Keep it Local’

Economic & Community

Benefit Opportunity

‘Keep it Local’

River Ayr Way

Clyde Walkway

Southern Upland Way

Missing Links

Douglas

Coalburn

Heritage Trail

Proposal

‘Keep it Local’

• 3R Energy would like to work with interested parties in Douglas and Coalburn to develop plans for a Heritage Trail through the Dalquhandy site, formally linking the two villages.

• There is much history to commemorate and existing path networks to build upon.

• Recognise the site and the area’s contribution to Scotland’s energy needs, past and present.

• Basic infrastructure is there and the development can fund way markers, interpretation areas, shelters etc.

• Strong potential to become part of a wider National network linking established tourist routes.

• Spin-off potential for local businesses within Douglas and Coalburn.

• 3R Energy has commissioned P4 Projects to develop plans in consultation with the local community.

Economic & Community

Benefit Opportunity

‘Keep it Local’

• A £5.6m Community Benefit Contribution (based on a total installed capacity of 45MW) to Douglas Valley communities over the life of the project, comprising financial contributions of £5,000/MW with the distribution mechanism to be agreed with local communities and South Lanarkshire Council.

• In addition, 3R Energy propose to work with the local communities in the Douglas Valley to explore the potential to establish a local co-operative to create the opportunity for local people, local businesses and Community Groups to invest in the Dalquhandy DP Wind Energy Project through a public share offer.

• 3R Energy are keen to hear the views of the local community in respect of part ownership and whether there may be other suggestions in respect of ways the community can benefit from the project.

Community Consultation

‘Keep it Local’

• We are keen to hear your views and suggestions are very welcome, particularly in relation to the Community Benefit proposals.

• We propose to hold two public exhibitions as follows:- 24th February, 2pm – 8pm in Coalburn Miners Welfare- 25th February, 2pm – 8pm in St.Brides Centre, Douglas

• We also propose to hold a separate meeting shortly with the Greenways Trust from Coalburn and the Douglas REAL Group regarding the development of plans for the Heritage Trail through the site.

• We are undertaking the EIA work at present and aim to submit our formal planning application by May 2015.

• Our door at Lanark Market is always open, so please contact us with any issues, views or suggestions at any time.

3R Energy

3R EnergyLanark Auction MarketHyndford RoadLanark

T: 01555 660244E: Info@3renergy.co.ukW: www.3renergy.co.uk